Rank: Forum user 
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We use a sanitising chemical to clean process pipework, the trade name is Oxonia which is bought from a company called Ecolab.
Oxania is made up from a combination of hydrogen peroxide acetic acid and per acetic acid, it has quite a pungent smell too.
Some of the operators are complaining that the smell is too over powering and so I would like to test the TWA STEL's ( Time weighted Average or Short term exposure Limits) to see if we are below the Workplace exposure limits that are printed on the MSDS
I need to know what type of kit to buy to test the WEL's, I can see its possible to purchase General solvent and vapour kits from Arco but they are quite expensive, once the area has be analysed the samples need to be sent for further analysis.
Has anyone had any experience with this time of work or could recommend a consultant or lab who would test the samples we produce should we chose to purchase our own kit?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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OhK I'll have a go - BUT would say ask an expert ASAP!
So WEL is for Hydrogen Peroxide? Acetic Acid doesn't have one anymore - check EH40 http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/table1.pdf.
If a value is for acetic acid it may be old / american, you can still use this as a guide if required but it is not a legal limit.
next to decide on how to sample properly see the relevant mdhs (maybe noted in EH40) http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/
if a specific doesn't exisit drop to generic - i.e.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs70.pdf
If you want more of a rapid result for short term exposure I would use a drager stain tube http://www.draeger.co.uk...sp?cid=global&hash=0
Google provides
http://www.thesafetyequi...ide-Draeger-8101041.html
Next also need to carry out proper COSHH assesment and consider use, exposure routes etc etc.
It would also be a good idea to contact Ecolab, they will hopefulyl have an idea of how to use this product safely and will hopefully help you out! It might save you expense and effort :)
good luck
There a some good experts on here - watch this space for an excellent answer on skin exposure from Chris!!
My answer only covers inhalation :)
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi Mersey, it's worth bearing in mind that the monitoring results might not help you here - because the workers are already finding the smell overpowering and uncomfortable to work in. Even if the results come out at below the WELs for the substances, you would still need to take further action to prevent their exposure/discomfort. I have been in this situation several times - where monitoring has shown that the levels are within the safe limits, but workers have still complained about the smell, or headaches etc. Therefore we have still put extra control measures in place, and sometimes the operators have chosen to wear RPE if we haven't been able to enclose the process, or if the extraction still does not remove the unpleasant smell. When you do your COSHH assessment, take into account what the workers are experiencing, and look at whether the monitoring is going to contribute to your final judgement on control measures. Hope that helps, CJS.
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