Industrial Hygiene (IH) Air Sampling Survey

What is an IH Air Sampling Survey? 

Industrial hygiene (IH) refers to the recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental stressors in the workplace that may cause impaired health or significant discomfort among workers. One of the most common workplace hazards is exposure to airborne contaminants, which can be identified and assessed through specialized air sampling surveys.

An IH Air Sampling Survey is a systematic evaluation of air quality within a work environment to determine whether employees are at risk from exposure to hazardous substances. These surveys help detect and quantify a wide range of contaminants. The main categories SEC specializes in includes:

• Gases – Formless fluids that expand and occupy spaces, which includes volatile vapors (in atomic, diatomic, or molecular structures)
• Fumes – Formed when material from volatized solid condenses in cool air, usually through condensation reactions forming an oxide
• Nuisance Dusts – Solid particles generated from crushing, exploding, or heating organic/inorganic materials (e.g. coal, ore, metal, etc.)
• Solvents – Substances capable of dissolving or dispersing other substances
• Etc.

Air Sampling Methods & Duration

IH Air Sampling involves a variety of techniques to measure airborne contaminants and evaluate whether exposures exceed occupational exposure limits (OELs). The type of sampling method depends on the contaminant, duration of exposure, and work environment. Common categories of air sampling methods include:

1. 1. Personal Air Sampling – Representative sample of what individuals inhale during work shift where wearable devices are worn (area of several inches from face)
   2. Area (Ambient) Sampling – Measures air quality in certain areas for general insight of exposure levels

The sampling duration also varies:

1. 1. Short-Term Sampling – Evaluates brief, high exposure periods (around 15-30 minutes)
   2. Grab Sampling – Instantaneous sample to detect presence of contaminant
   3. Full-Shift Sampling – Measures average exposure usually around a full 8-hour shift

Exposure Controls for IH Air Sampling

After identifying airborne hazards through sampling, control measures are implemented to reduce employee exposure. The classification of these measures follows:

1. 1. Engineering Controls – Eliminate or isolate hazards at its source
   2. Work Practice Controls – Modify how tasks are performed to minimize risk
   3. Administrative Controls – Limit exposure by altering schedules or job assignments
   4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Provide physical barriers against hazards

Key Regulatory Standards & Recommendations

The primary federal regulations governing airborne exposure limits are established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). These are codified in Tables Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3 under 29 CFR 1910.1000. OSHA’s limits are often supported by research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Their additional guidelines known as Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) are detailed in the NIOSH Pocket guide to Chemical Hazards.

Another key organization, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), is a group of occupational health professionals that develops scientifically derived exposure guidelines. These values are known as:

• • Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) – Airborne concentrations of chemical substance all workers may be repeatedly exposed to without adverse effects
  • Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) – Reference values for assessing chemicals in biological samples (e.g. blood, urine, etc.)

Although TLVs and BEIs are not legally enforceable, they are widely recognized and frequently utilized in the industrial hygiene field to support proactive exposure control strategies.

Staying Ahead of IH Air Sampling

Maintaining a healthy work environment is critical for regulatory compliance, employee well-being, and long-term organizational success. Our experienced SEC team is here to help you navigate OSHA requirements, perform expert IH Air Sampling Surveys, and build a safer, healthier workplace.