Exposure Assessments and Hygiene Monitoring in Kamloops and Surrounding Areas
Exposure assessments are conducted to identify if one or more chemical, physical, or biological substances are present in a given area. If so, does the substance or substances pose a health risk to individuals? At WP Consulting, exposure assessments are conducted by following Industrial Hygiene principles, which are anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards.
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Our sampling includes various sampling techniques in accordance with the appropriate contaminant methodology for collecting and analyzing samples for air, surfaces, and water, such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). WP Consulting can assess for the following:
Air - such as vehicle or equipment exhaust, welding fumes, sewer gases, particulates, and by-products from wildfires. Samples can be collected using multi-perimeter / data logging instruments that include temperature, relative humidity, air particulates, and gases; other collection methods can consist of traditional methods using air sampling pumps with sampling cassettes or tubes.
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Surfaces - such as biological (bacteria, viruses), and hazardous substances (lead, asbestos, pesticides). Depending on the substances, samples can be collected by swab, wipes, tape lift, or microvac.
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Water - such as biological (e. coli, coliform) and hazardous substances (lead).
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Undertaking Exposure Assessment
Detailed background information is vital for exposure assessment and monitoring. This information helps us identify any unknown substance that might be causing problems and exposure. Some vital information that we look for is as follows:
What is the subject area used for (the function of the space)?
What activities are conducted within the subject area?
What activities are conducted outside of the subject area?
How do external activities affect the subject area?
What is the configuration of the ventilation system (the pathways of ductwork, airflow, etc.)?
Referencing Standards
WP Consulting's assessments are performed in reference to government and health regulatory and standard implementing bodies and institutions. These bodies and institutions consist of but are not limited to:
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
The Canadian Standard Association (CSA)
Health Canada
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
​WorkSafeBC
