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Industrial Hygiene Testing

Category Press Release
Publish Date 5/16/2022
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Chloroform Exposure Risks for Workers in California
Introduction LA Testing provides environmental and industrial hygiene laboratory testing services to identify and mitigate occupational exposures to chloroform and other chemical hazards.

Huntington Beach, CA, May 16th, 2022

Chloroform is a colorless liquid that can quickly evaporate into a gas. It was once used as an inhaled anesthetic for surgical procedures; as an extraction solvent for fats, oils, greases, and other products; as a dry-cleaning spot remover; as a fumigant; and was even used in some fire extinguishers.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), chloroform is currently used in some refrigerants, solvents and for chemical manufacturing. It is also released from some pulp and paper mills, hazardous waste sites, chlorinated water, and various landfills.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists chloroform as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports the major effect from acute inhalation exposure to chloroform is central nervous system depression. Chronic exposure to chloroform by inhalation in humans has resulted in effects on the liver, including hepatitis and jaundice, and central nervous system effects, such as depression and irritability.

Some of the workers listed by NIOSH that could be at risk of exposure to chloroform include:

  • Workers involved in the paper manufacturing or recycling industries
  • Service employees exposed to some air conditioner refrigerants
  • Equipment operators working at sanitary landfills
  • Workers employed at water treatment plants


“Back in 1987, the state of California listed chloroform as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In 2009, the listing was expanded to include reproductive toxicity. To help identify and monitor for exposure risks to chloroform and other industrial chemicals, LA Testing’s laboratories in California offer testing solutions and sampling supplies. These services not only help to protect workers, they can be essential for keeping companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.”

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about chloroform and potential exposures that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/D0IyJlbTOO0

To learn more about chloroform or other 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.

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