Cap Question 08:3250

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From:"Mackinnon, John" <jmackinnon@lakeridgehealth.on.ca>
To:"'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'" <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
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Content-Type:text/plain

Cap question 08:3250 deals with formalin exposure and is worded as follows:

QUESTION: 08:3250  PHASE: I

Is ventilation adequate to eliminate noxious fumes and biological odors?

NOTE:  Formaldehyde vapor concentrations must be kept below the following
maxima:

	8 hour time-weighted average:  0.75 ppm

	15 minute short-term exposure limit:  2.0 ppm

COMMENTARY: 08:3250  PHASE: I

IMPROVEMENT IN VENTILATION IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE NOXIOUS ODORS.  IN
ADDITION TO CLEARANCE OF BIOLOGICAL ODORS, THE MAXIMUM PERMIS-SIBLE
FORMALDEHYDE VAPOR LEVELS UNDER STANDARD WORKING CONDI-TIONS ARE:

	8 HOUR TIME-WEIGHTED AVERAGE:  0.75 PPM

	15 MINUTE SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE LIMIT:  2.0 PPM

It is not clear as to how often these levels should be checked.  Can anyone
out there tell me if there is a set period as to how often levels have to be
done.?  If I had my levels checked two or three years ago and they were
acceptable then would this be good enough to pass? (That is nothing has
changed physically with the ventilation system and no changes in
procedures.)

Thanks in advance,

John MacKinnon MLT, ART
Senior Technologist, Pathology
Lakeridge Health Oshawa



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