Marchwood: Occupational hygiene accreditation extended

Marchwood has added further metal and arsenic analyses to its extensive list of accredited services. These tests, including the analysis of metals on Workplace Atmosphere Filters and Polyurethane Foams (PUFs) and Arsenic on charcoal tubes, take Marchwood another step closer to its goal of having full accreditation across the broadest range of analysis.

‘Ensuring our services are UKAS accredited is absolutely necessary in establishing trust with our customers,’ said Jenny Wraith, Business Development Manager for Marchwood. ‘As the only accreditation body recognised by the UK government to assess laboratory standards against internationally recognised specifications, a UKAS accreditation provides our customers with peace of mind for a job well done, as well as demonstrating our extensive capabilities and expertise.’

Marchwood’s analysis of metals on Workplace Atmosphere Filters and PUFs identifies the substances being caught by the filters. Typically found in factory or welding environments, complex airborne mixtures of metal fumes, particulates and gases can be generated, causing adverse health problems if not examined and treated. Arsenic monitoring and analysis on activated charcoal tubes are undertaken on landfill sites to levels set by the Environmental Agency for full compliance.

‘There has definitely been an increase in requests for fully accredited metal analysis at Marchwood,’ continued Jenny. ‘We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, particularly in the colder months, and concentrations of some pollutants can be two to five times higher than outside concentrations. It’s worth businesses investing in our tests, particularly with awareness of occupational hygiene at an all-time high due to COVID-19.’

Health effects associated with air pollutants include:

• Mild symptoms, such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
• Headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
• Acute symptoms, such as heart disease, respiratory diseases, reproductive problems, birth defects, poisoning and cancer.

For more details on how our comprehensive air quality services can help your business, contact us.