Accredited Chemical & Dust Measurements at Workplaces
Chemical and dust agent measurements at workplaces involve air sampling and determination of harmful substance concentrations against occupational exposure limits (OEL/NDS). OIKOS laboratory performs determinations across a wide range of industries: paint shops, print shops, tanneries, galvanising plants, boiler rooms, rubber manufacturing, asphalt road works, medical facilities using sterilising agents, and wherever workers are exposed to chemical substances and dusts. Reports are issued under PCA accreditation No. AB 934 (PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025) and are accepted by the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) and other regulators in legally regulated areas.
Why OIKOS for Chemical & Dust Measurements
Four reasons our chemical and dust measurements stand out — including capabilities no competitor in the region offers:
- Unique determinations of formamide, TETA, DETA and diisocyanates — the only laboratory in the region with this capability
- AB 934-accredited results — accepted by the Labour Inspectorate (PIP) and Sanitary Inspection (SANEPID) for OEL compliance assessment
- Full in-house analytical scope: GC-FID, HPLC-UV, IC-CD, FAAS, UV/VIS and IR spectrophotometry
- Own validated samplers — ordering laboratories do not need to check blank samples or recovery
Substances We Measure That Others Cannot
A particular competence of OIKOS is the determination of unique substances unavailable at other regional laboratories: formamide (used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries), TETA (triethylenetetramine) and DETA (diethylenetriamine) — used as epoxy resin hardeners — and diisocyanates (TDI, MDI, HDI) used in polyurethane production. The absence of these measurements at other regional labs means no alternative for the employer — and a real compliance risk.
For dust analysis, OIKOS determines inhalable fraction, respirable fraction and free crystalline silica (FCS/WKK) by the KBr method — critical in construction, metallurgy, ceramics and mining. All results are issued in an accredited test report meeting the requirements of legally regulated areas.
OIKOS holds PCA accreditation No. AB 934 (PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025) and has been operating since 1988. As one of the few laboratories in the region, we organise the PT-P (dust fractions) and PT-ORG (organic substances) proficiency testing programmes under PT 010 accreditation — meaning our competence in air sampling and analysis is independently verified by PCA at two levels simultaneously.
Methods & Instruments
Methods
Gas chromatography GC-FID, high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC-FLD and HPLC-UV, ion chromatography IC, MP-AES atomic emission spectrometry, gravimetric method (inhalable and respirable dust fractions).
Instruments
Personal and stationary sampling pumps, flow calibrators, membrane and fibre filters, sorbent tubes, absorption solutions, analytical balance, GC and HPLC chromatographs, Agilent MP-AES, desiccators.
Reference documents
PN-Z-04008-7:2002+Az1:2004; PN-Z-04374:2009; PN-Z-04493:2018-09; OSHA Method 5002; OSHA Method PV2046; PN-Z-04498:2019-10; PN-Z-04531:2021-08; PN-Z-04558:2024-09 — full list of reference documents in AB 934 Scope.
FAQ
Chemical & Dust Measurement Questions
How often must chemical agent measurements be conducted at workplaces?
Frequency depends on previous results and substances used. Above 0.5 OEL — every 6 months; between 0.1–0.5 OEL — annually; below 0.1 OEL — every 2 years. Detailed rules are set out in the Minister of Health regulation.
Which industries require formamide, TETA or DETA measurements?
Formamide occurs in chemical, pharmaceutical and synthetic fibre industries. TETA and DETA are used as epoxy resin hardeners — in marine, construction and composite manufacturing industries. Diisocyanates (TDI, MDI) appear in polyurethane foam, adhesive and paint production.
What is the difference between inhalable and respirable dust fractions?
The inhalable fraction includes all particles entering the respiratory system through the nose and mouth. The respirable fraction consists of finer particles penetrating to the alveoli — the most hazardous. Both parameters have separate OEL values and require separate sampling.