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Identifying Sulfuric Acid Exposure Risks to Protect Workers in California

Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	10/13/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Identifying Sulfuric Acid Exposure Risks to Protect Workers in California
Introduction	LA Testing provides environmental and industrial hygiene laboratory testing services, sampling supplies and personal protective equipment to identify and mitigate contact with a wide range of chemical and microbial hazards.
Huntington Beach, CA, October 13, 2023 Sulfuric acid is a mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes it as a corrosive substance, destructive to the skin, eyes, teeth and lungs, with severe exposure potentially resulting in death. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also determined that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic. Sulfuric acid is used in many industries, for example, it is used to produce other chemicals, fertilizers, explosives and glue; to refine petroleum; to cure metal; and it can be found in lead-based car batteries. Examples of some workers at potential risk of being exposed to sulfuric acid according to NIOSH include: Outdoor workers who work in areas where coal, oil or gas are burned Mechanics who handle dirty batteries Plumbers and contractors who come in contact with toilet bowl cleaners mixed with water Workers in publishing, printing or photography shops Fire fighters and steelworkers who are exposed to acid mists “Touching sulfuric acid will burn the skin and breathing sulfuric acid can result in respiratory tract irritation or worse,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These are all reasons why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for sulfuric acid and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) to protect workers. At LA Testing, our industrial hygiene and environmental laboratories help companies detect and monitor for exposure risks associated with sulfuric acid and many other occupational hazards.” LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about sulfuric acid and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/R0AJv0vr_E8 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.