Employers are required to limit employee workplace chemical exposures to non-hazardous levels. The evaluation of inhalation hazards, is more difficult.
Air monitoring is needed to determine the employee exposure level to individual hazardous chemicals.
The purpose of an air monitoring program is to confirm whether specific hazardous chemicals are present and to determine if the concentration presents a hazard. Chemical specific regulations like those for formaldehyde, asbestos, and lead commonly require employers to provide routine monitoring of airborne concentrations. All hazardous chemicals present in the workplace must be identified. Information available for these chemicals is evaluated for potential exposures hazards. Monitoring Method Monitoring methods vary in their accuracy and specificity.