Passive Dosimeters

Here’s what the experts are saying:

RTP has an AIHA Accredited Laboratory to manufacture each of our passive dosimeter monitors and they also perform all of the analysis on each of the exposed monitors. This provides each customer, as well as your employees, the confidence that the reporting is accurate and within the OSHA and NIOSH standards.

Laboratory has been reaccredited by The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for another 3 year period beginning in 2002. This comes after evaluation of our quality assurance procedures and after an on-site inspection.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has evaluated the accuracy of RTP’s nitrous oxide badges. Their data indicates that our monitoring badge is accurate. Monitoring badges from two other companies are found to not be acceptable.

In January, 2000 and again in July, 2001 an independent validation study by a Japanese government agency found that our Formaldehyde/Glutaraldehyde Vapor Monitor badge and the ones for benzene, toluene, xylene and styrene are significantly more accurate than required by US OSHA standards.

In August, 2001 the labs quality assurance procedures were examined on-site by an inspector from New York State Department of Health as part of the renewal for our Environmental Laboratory Approval Program accreditation.

In February, 2002 we were granted a Patent by the Government of Japan for technology used in the monitoring badges. This supplements a previous U.S. Patent.

Who needs to monitor?

• Dental Offices
• Dry Cleaners
• Funeral Homes
• Hospitals
• Homeowners
• Laboratories

Why should I monitor?

OSHA General Duty Clause: Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees…

OSHA “Right to Know” – CFR 1910.1200 Appendix E Subpart Z The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) – Employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring… When employers have information about the chemicals being used, they can take steps to reduce exposures, substitute less hazardous materials, and establish proper work practices. These efforts will prevent the occurrence of work related illnesses and injuries caused by chemicals…

…additional reasons to monitor

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450, “Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
  in Laboratories”
• OSHA CFR 1910.1000 “Air Contaminants Z-1 Table”
• JCAHO “The Environment of Care Standards and Scoring Guidelines”
• JCAHO “Accreditation Manual for Hazardous Materials and
  Waste Management (EC2.4)”
• CDC NIOSH Alert “Request for Assistance in Controlling Exposure to Nitrous
  Oxide Anesthetic Administration”
• NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  “Recommended Exposure Limits”
• ACGIH – The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
  “TLV’s and BEI’s Guidelines”

When should I re-monitor?

• Employee changing patterns of movement in the workplace
• Closing of facility doors or windows
• Changes in ventilation from season to season
• Decreases in ventilation efficiency or abrupt failure of engineering
  control equipment
• Changes in the production process or work habits of the employees
• Spill or leak occurrences

What you will receive:

• Dosimeters are available in any quantity that you require and are priced based on the volume that is purchased
• One price covers both badge and analysis
• Badges meet and exceed OSHA Requirements
• All badges designed and analyzed using OSHA and NIOSH approved methodologies
• All badges can be used as TWA or STEL
• All badges may be stored in ambient (room) temperature
• Standing order programs available
• Rush analysis performed upon request
• Analysis recovery is best when performed closest to exposure date
• Quality control info available upon request
• Independent documentation and Confidentiality
• Results determined within 7 working days

Dosimeters Available:

We have a wide range of monitors listed below. However, if you require a monitor for a chemical that is not shown, please contact us to determine if one is available.

Quality Control and Internal Validation

An unexposed “Blank” badge is stored and always tested with each group positive results. Monitoring badges exposed to known concentrations of the vapors are also analyzed. This gives a “built-in” validation standard of accuracy. A statement of the accuracy can, therefore, be given on each analysis report. Calibration standards are generally traceable to the U.S. National Bureau of Standards. Monitors are calibrated in a specifically designed chamber, with continuous measurement of the vapor concentration. Analysis results are evaluated in terms of the Coefficient of Variation (CV) and the Overall System Accuracy. OSHA usually requires accuracy of +/- 25% with 95% confidence limits. Overall System Accuracy accounts for both accuracy and precision.

Independent Validation of Accuracy

Accuracy of Analysis
As part of the accreditation requirements, the laboratory participates in the NIOSH Proficiency Analysis Testing (PAT) Program. In this program, samples are submitted to the laboratory each calendar quarter. These samples include passive monitoring badges. The chemicals in recent proficiency testing include toluene, xylene, benzene, chloroform, methanol, trichloroethylene and others. The lab has reported accurate results in all 24 tests in the recent past and is rated proficient.

Independent Validation of Monitoring Badge Performance
The Company welcomes opportunities for other organizations to evaluate the performance of the monitoring badges. Recent results are reported below.

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