Industrial Hygiene

At VCU our Industrial Hygiene programs are designed to assist faculty, staff and students from potential exposures to chemical, biological, and physical hazards that can cause adverse health effects when appropriate engineering controls or personal protective equipment is not available.

Industrial hygiene is the science of protecting and enhancing the health and safety of people at work and in their communities. Health and safety hazards cover a wide range of chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic stressors. Those dedicated to anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling those hazards are known as Industrial Hygienists. They are professionals dedicated to the well-being of people at work, at home and in the community.

American Board of Industrial Hygiene

IAQ

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. IAQ characteristics can include temperature, humidity, poor ventilation (lack of outside air), mold from water damage, or exposure to other chemicals. Currently, OSHA has no indoor air quality (IAQ) standards but it does provide guidelines about the most common IAQ workplace complaints. VCU is committed to providing students, faculty, and staff, with a work environment free of recognized hazards. Reports of poor indoor air quality are investigated on a case-by-case basis.

Standard Operating Procedure for Indoor Air Quality Investigations

To request an Indoor Air Quality Investigation, please submit an:

IH Service Request

The purpose of the respiratory protection program is to ensure that appropriate respiratory protection is provided to faculty, staff and students who may be exposed to an atmosphere that is contaminated with harmful dusts, fibers, fumes, mists, gasses, vapors, smoke, or biological agents of which engineering controls are not feasible or adequate to control employee exposures.

All faculty, staff and students who need to use a respirator to perform assigned work tasks or projects because of a potential exposure risk or as directed by IACUC/IBC or departmental control. Only respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended shall be used.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Hazard Assessment

In order to determine the presence of a respiratory hazard and to assist in the selection of an appropriate respirator, a respiratory hazard assessment of the work area shall be conducted by the department supervisor in consultation with the EHS-SRM Industrial Hygienist.

If you believe you work in an environment that requires respiratory protection please submit an IH Service Request to begin the Respiratory Hazard Assessment process.

Respiratory Hazard Assessment Form

Medical Evaluations

Once a respiratory hazard assessment has been completed, each exposed individual will have to undergo a medical evaluation to be sure that they are medically able to wear a respirator. The use of a respirator places unusual stress on the wearer to the extent that employees entering the program must be evaluated by a physician or licensed healthcare professional.Only after being medically cleared, can the respirator wearer participate in fit testing.

Fit Testing

There are several different brands and models of respirators, and one type and size does not fit every user. Respirator wearers that rely on a tight-fitting facepiece (mask-to-face seal), must be fit tested before initial use and annually thereafter. Fit testing is also required when a change in the facial structure of a wearer occurs or if a different make/model of respirator is purchased.

Resources

Training Request

OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard

Purpose

Outline the health and safety guidelines used by students, faculty and staff involved in the administration of anesthetic gases.

Scope/Applicability

Waste anesthetic gas (WAG) is a term commonly used to describe the potential employee exposure to anesthetic gases in the environment during a surgical procedure. Employees with the greatest potential for exposure are anesthetists, post-operative care staff, surgeons (depending on the type of surgery), dentist, and researchers.

The most widely used anesthetic gases are halogenated ethers such as Forane (Isoflurane), Ethrane (Enflurane), Halothane, Desflurane, and Sevorane (Sevoflurane) coupled with Nitrous Oxide. Exposure to these gases can occur as they escape into the environment during the anesthesia administration process. These gases have very poor warning properties and odor is not an adequate indication of overexposure. The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances reports adverse health effects in addition to central nervous system effects associated with the use of anesthetic gases. Epidemiological studies have also indicated congenital abnormalities and adverse effects on the liver and kidneys. Nitrous oxide and halogenated anesthetics have been described as tumorigens, mutagens and human reproductive effectors.

Responsibilities

View more information on employee and departmental responsibility on the:

Waste Anesthetic Gases Page

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases

Acute Exposure

nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, nose/throat/respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Chronic Exposure

hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory depression, and elevated blood glucose levels

Exposure Limits

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

NIOSH has recommended a one-hour ceiling limit of 2 ppm (15 mg/m3) for all halogenated agents. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit for Nitrous Oxide is 25 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average. When used in combination with Nitrous Oxide, the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for halogenated anesthetic gases is 0.5 ppm.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA does not have an established permissible exposure limit (PEL) for anesthetic gases.

Contact Industrial Hygiene

For assistance accessing information related to our programs,
please contact Industrial Hygiene Specialist:

Holly Monger

Safety & Risk Management

Division of Administration