Industrial Hygiene Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, December 17^th, 2021

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that 1,3-butadiene is mainly used in the production of synthetic rubber, but it is also found in smaller amounts in plastics and fuel. It is a colorless gas with a mild odor that can be condensed into a liquid.

Exposure to 1,3-butadiene mainly occurs in the workplace, including in synthetic elastomer (rubber and latex) production, petroleum refining, secondary lead smelting, water treatment, agricultural fungicides, and in the production of raw material for nylon. People can also be exposed by automobile exhaust; polluted air and water near chemical, plastic, or rubber facilities; cigarette smoke; and due to the ingestion of foods that are contaminated from plastic or rubber containers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified 1,3-butadiene as a known human carcinogen. OSHA states that the health effects caused by exposure to 1,3-butadiene can be split into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute exposures can further be split into low and high doses. Acute low exposures may cause irritation to the eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. Frostbite may also occur with skin exposure. Acute high exposures may cause damage to the central nervous system or cause symptoms such as distorted blurred vision, vertigo, general tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate, and fainting. Chronic effects caused by exposure to 1,3-butadiene are more controversial according to OSHA. Several human epidemiological studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

“Back in 1988, the state of California listed 1,3-butadiene as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In 2004, the listing was expanded to include reproductive toxicity. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce worker exposure to 1,3-butadiene through ventilation, process modification, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Industrial hygiene testing is also essential for identifying workers that may be at risk. To help in these efforts, LA Testing provides comprehensive laboratory services and all of the sampling supplies needed to detect 1,3-butadiene and many other chemical exposure risks.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about 1,3-butadiene and potential occupational exposures that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/QDqBN5yYfrw

To learn more about 1,3-butadiene or other industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental, health and safety testing services, 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 indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, 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 public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), 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, San Diego, and Ontario.