Meeting Review: Analytics Corporation - IH Lab Presentation
Thursday, January 30, 2020

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By:  Frank Pokrywka, Ed.D., CIH - Pgh. AIHA Secretary

One of the more frustrating things an Industrial Hygienist can encounter in the field is coming upon a coating or solvent being used by workers and having little idea what chemical exposures are involved.  Even when the product container or SDS is available, the manufacturer may list the components as petroleum distillates, hydrocarbons or
some other vague identifier. To shed some light on this topic, Andy Teague CIH, Lab Director from Analytics Corporation spoke to our group on dealing with multi component hydrocarbon distillates during IH sampling and lab analysis. Before collecting and submitting samples, Andy stated the importance of speaking to the lab to discuss possible
methods and analysis. In addition, it may be helpful to speak with technical experts at the manufacturer to learn more about their product. Submitting a small (1cc) bulk sample of the material to the lab in a separate package can also lead to clearer analytical results.

Andy mentioned a valuable industrial hygiene resource for evaluating refined hydrocarbon solvent vapor mixtures provided in Appendix H of the ACGIH TLV booklet. Known as group guidance values (GGVs) this section may be helpful in establishing a TLV for your actual mixture rather than lumping them into the generic exposure limit for “total
hydrocarbons”. 

During his talk Andy also discussed some advantages, disadvantages and limitations of various sampling and analytical methods including absorbent tubes vs. badges and GC-FID, PID and HPLC for analyzing hydrocarbon mixtures. Advancements in GC columns, mass spec reference libraries and analytical standards over the past several years
have simplified the sampling and analysis for hydrocarbon mixtures such as mineral spirits, VM&P Naphta, Stoddard Solvent, turpentine, gasoline, kerosene, jet fuels and diesel fuel. 

Changing topics Andy also spoke on the sampling and analytical difficulties of oil mist and metal working fluids using the NIOSH 5026 and NIOSH 0500 methods touting the fact that silicon based oils are now replacing petroleum oils of the past. Not just sampling mineral oil any longer, IHs and laboratories must also concern themselves with measuring and analyzing solid and extractible particulates from these materials. Pre-sample filter cleaning becomes more critical as some of these field contaminants may actually be present in the sampling filters and cassettes due to the manufacturing process.

Finally, Andy touched on the increased use of 3D printers by schools, manufacturing facilities or in homes hobby shops and the unknown health hazards associated with the polyester, MMA, PLA and ABS feed stocks. Decomposition of these materials and their uncontrolled release into the air we breathe is a growing concern public health. The
nanoparticle size and compositions of these materials is creating some challenges for both IH sampling and lab analysis of these collected samples as well as the impacts on the indoor air quality where these materials are used.

The Pittsburgh Section AIHA would like to express our gratitude to Andy and Analytics Corporation for this excellent presentation. We would also like to thank Barry Momyer and AM Health & Safety for hosting this event that was one of the best attended program in some time.

​Frank Pokrywka

About the Speaker:

ANDY TEAGUE, CIH  is the Laboratory Director for Analytics Corporation, an industrial hygiene (AIHA-accredited) and environmental testing laboratory. He has over 37 years of experience in industrial hygiene monitoring and analytical chemistry, including development and evaluation of new IH sampling and analysis methods. He is a Past Chair of the AIHA Sampling and Lab Analysis Committee. Mr. Teague has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biology from Berry College. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist in Chemical Aspects.
Thank you to AM Health & Safety, Inc. for hosting this event.  We appreciate all the attendees who participated in this SOLD OUT event:
  • Lucinette Alvarado, SKC, Inc.
  • Don Andrews, PPG Industries, Inc.
  • George Bender, GHB Consulting Services, LLC
  • Darrick Bertig, FirstEnergy Corp.
  • Tom Blank, BWSR, LLC
  • Pat Carfagna
  • Renee Cowell, Energy Transfer Partners
  • Linda Coyne, SKC, Inc.
  • Barb Cummings, AM Health & Safety, Inc.
  • Carol Delfino, SE Technologies, LLC
  • Raj Dharmarajan, AM Health & Safety, Inc.
  • Doug Dowis, SKC, Inc.
  • Fred Elbel, BPMC Bettis Lab
  • Natalie Gaydos, PPG Industries, Inc.
  • Laura Hallett, Cardno ChemRisk
  • Warren Houseman, Entact, LLC
  • Jennifer Kapp, PPG Industries, Inc.
  • Dennis Kelly, Energy Transfer Partners
  • Josh Maskrey, Cardno ChemRisk
  • Adam Mitchell, Koppers
  • Barry Momyer, AM Health & Safety, Inc.
  • Bob Morgan, PPG Industries, Inc.
  • Chuck Nachreiner, SKC, Inc.
  • Jan Oleszewski, US Dept. of Labor - OSHA
  • Frank Pokrywka, KTA-Tator, Inc.
  • Keith Rickabaugh, RJ Lee Group, Inc.
  • Raffie Sessa, RCS Health & Safety Consulting, LLC
  • Sarmed Shareef, University of Pittsburgh
  • Jay Sharpley, PPG Industries, Inc.
  • Jack Simila, Analytics Corp
  • Shawn Sunderlin, Repsol Oil & Gas USA
  • Matt Zock, FedEx Ground