Project Summaries for Ambient and Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Client: Manufacturer
AirNova, Inc. conducted an indoor air quality evaluation program in response to complaints of nuisance dust in the sewing and cutting areas of the facility. Air samples were collected in several areas according to NIOSH Method 0500 for particulate matter. Results were compared to OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH worker exposure guidelines.
Client: Printing and Coating Facility
AirNova, Inc. was contracted to conduct indoor air sampling near a color matching unit in order to better qualitate an unknown odor emanating from the unit during a “burn-in” procedure. Canister and adsorbtion tube sampling for ammonia, formaldehyde, phenol, and other VOCs under several scenarios were performed to evaluate and relate odor to the chemical compounds emitted.
Client: Coating Operation
An indoor air quality evaluation program was conducted in response to complaints concerning potential employee ozone exposures in the production area due to equipment emissions. Ozone concentrations were determined by adsorbtion tube sampling at five areas surrounding the equipment and directly within it’s exhaust.
Client: Printing and Coating Facility
An indoor air quality evaluation program was conducted in response to evidence of nonylphenol contamination on products that were prepared at the facility. Ambient room air samples were collected in accordance with OSHA Method 32 to determine the airborne nonylphenol concentrations in three work areas of the facility.
Client: Graphite Lubricant Preparation Facility
An indoor air quality evaluation program was conducted to quantify concentrations of xylene within the lube room of a manufacturing area. Worker exposure during solvent addition to one blending tank was also assessed. Several tube samples were collected in the breathing zone of operators involved in various activities within the lube room. Ambient air was sampled in the center of the room in accordance with NIOSH Method 1501. Results were compared with OSHA’s 8 hour TWA.
Client: Adhesive Manufacturer
AirNova, Inc. performed an ambient air quality evaluation as a response to odor complaints from the adjacent building occupants. Indoor samples and exhaust ventilation samples were collected by canister in order to identify and quantitate any possible hydrocarbon emissions that were due to the operation of an adhesive drying chamber.
Client: Hospital Waste Processing Facilities
AirNova, Inc. performed ambient air sampling for microorganisms upwind of several microwave medical waste sanitizers in accordance with ASTM Method E884. The ambient sampling was performed concurrently with a source emission program designed to determine each unit’s destruction efficiency of microorganisms by using bacillus subtillus as a spiking medium.
Client: Vehicle Import Marine Terminal
AirNova, Inc. was contracted to investigate the ongoing nuisance of particulate fallout in the vehicle storage lots and surrounding area. Deposition samples collected were characterized by x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in order to facilitate locating the emission source of the pollutant.
Client: Maritime Petroleum Transportation Corporation
Annual benzene exposure monitoring was performed according to 46 CFR Part 197 as part of a corporate OSHA compliance program. Personal, area, and short-term exposure passive samples were acquired during cleaning, venting and crude lightering operations that were performed on a fleet of barges. Airborne benzene concentrations were reported and correlated with job responsibilities.
Client: Engineering Firm at a Construction Site
Ambient upwind, downwind, and personal air samples were collected during soil excavation activities at a construction site. NIOSH Methods 7300, 6009, and 5515 were utilized to collect Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, and Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon samples. The resultant ambient level concentrations were then compared with OSHA action levels.
Client: Manufacturing and Assembly Plant
AirNova, Inc. conducted a compliance VOC Destruction Efficiency Test for a thermal oxidizer located in the coating area of the facility. The client had to demonstrate that an acceptable quantity of VOCs was being captured by the pollution control device. EPA Method 204 was used to determine VOC Capture Efficiency by utilizing the entire coating room as a total enclosure for the test. The air flow rates and VOC concentrations at five fugitive locations (windows and doors) were monitored simultaneously throughout the entire compliance program.