Industrial Hygiene Testing

Huntington Beach, CA, September 25, 2023

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that more than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity.

Occupational skin diseases are in fact the second most common type of occupational disease reports NIOSH. They can occur in several different forms, including:

• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Skin cancers
• Skin infections
• Skin injuries
• Other miscellaneous skin diseases

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also warns that skin exposure to chemicals in the workplace is a significant problem and states:

Most chemicals are readily absorbed through the skin and can cause other health effects and/or contribute to the dose absorbed by inhalation of the chemical from the air. Many studies indicate that absorption of chemicals through the skin can occur without being noticed by the worker. In many cases, skin is a more significant route of exposure than the lung. This is particularly true for non-volatile chemicals which are relatively toxic and which remain on work surfaces for long periods of time.

“Contact dermatitis is one of the most common types of occupational illness, with estimated costs exceeding $1 billion annually from just that one skin condition according to NIOSH,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In California, LA Testing’s industrial hygiene and environmental laboratory specialists identify occupational exposure risks to chemicals that could be dermal and respiratory threats. In addition to laboratory testing services, we also offer sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and a full line of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect against inhalation and direct contact hazards.”

Last year, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about dermal exposure to chemical hazards in the workplace that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/QNBOSdRDii8

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for food, consumer product, environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.