CIH Services can provide air sampling or monitoring for a variety of occupational exposures. The types of chemical, biological and physical hazards that have been evaluated in the past include the following:

• Solvents
• Cleaning compounds
• Industrial chemicals such as styrene and xylene
• Sterilants such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde
• Gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and ethylene oxide
• Particulates including respirable dust, silica and cotton dust
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Legionella and other infectious agents
• Noise
• Radiation such as ultraviolet light
• Ergonomics

CIH Services can provide the investigation of potential occupational health hazards by anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace or home issues. These evaluations are conducted with a solutions-based outcome as the goal. We begin any project with a qualitative exposure assessment, saving customers time and resources by only performing necessary quantitative air sampling.

CIH Services can provide the evaluation of conditions that cause adverse health effects in workers or homeowners in areas where there are no obvious hazards present. Techniques used during these evaluations include direct-reading instruments, air sampling methods, visual inspection, ventilation examination, questionnaires and interviews. The most common adverse health effects reported include headaches, eye irritation and tearing, coughing, congestion, nose and throat irritation, and excessive tiredness. CIH Services has identified the causes of many of these reported health effects, including the following:

• Airborne mold spores and mold metabolites
• Undetected water damage
• Allergens such as dust mites and animal allergens
• Lack of outside dilution air
• Carbon monoxide exposure
• Trace organic chemical exposure
• Improper storage of cleaning materials and fuels
• Excessive airborne particulate concentration
• Contaminated furnace coils, pan, filter or lined ductwork
• Building renovation material exposure
• Improper building pressure relationships

Research, quality control and teaching labs may have significant hazards present that are undetected. A comprehensive checklist of lab safety hazards will be used to find safety issues in order to eliminate the potential for illness or injury.

CIH Services is able to provide comprehensive programs to help prevent illness and injury in teaching, research, clinical and quality control laboratories. Programs developed for the improvement of lab safety include the development of a Chemical Hygiene Plan, a comprehensive inspection protocol, safety committee development, newsletter preparation and safety training. Some of the hazards encountered in laboratories include the following: carcinogens, highly toxic chemicals, corrosive chemicals, flammable chemicals, infectious agents, electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light, lasers and X-rays, and sharp materials.

CIH Services can provide program development and training for most hazards regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). Safety and health hazards that are not regulated by OSHA, such as ergonomics and certain chemical exposures, can also be addressed.
Examples of programs that CIH Services has developed and provided training for include the following:

•  Hearing Conservation
•  Respiratory Protection
•  Laboratory Safety
•  Hazard Communication
•  Bloodborne Pathogens
•  Confined Space
•  Lock Out-Tag Out