Chemical Monitoring

Chemical monitoring is conducted to ensure that employee exposures to airborne chemicals are within permissible limits. These permissible exposure limits (PELs) have been established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

EH&S has implemented written chemical monitoring strategies, which are listed in the Laboratory Safety Manual and the Occupational Medicine Program. These guidelines establish that monitoring will be conducted if there is reason to believe that a hazard exists or may develop in the workplace. This monitoring includes:

• Initial Monitoring: completed when an employee exhibits signs of exposure or if there is reason to believe employee exposure exceeds the exposure limit.
• Periodic Monitoring: conducted to ensure the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Standard Specific Monitoring: Specific chemical standards may require chemical exposure monitoring.
• Employee Notification: An employee is notified within 15 days of the results of the monitoring.

EH&S can perform chemical monitoring of various chemicals and compounds. For further information regarding chemical monitoring at Iowa State, contact EH&S.