Fume scrubbers
Exhaust hoods should be employed when possible, but in some cases the use of
such a hood may not be practicable. A possible alternative is a fume or air scrubber,
a portable air filtration system. These units are typically constructed of plexiglasss
with an internal fan and charcoal absorption filter. Air scrubbers are particularly
useful for controlling low concentration of organic chemicals. The fan draws room
air through the unit's filter (away from the operator if properly located), and
discharges the air back to the room. Since the air is not exhausted, there is no
imbalance created in the room ventilation system. Units such as that described above
are available through a variety of laboratory equipment suppliers. The initial cost
of fume scrubber units is not insignificant at a cost of $600-$1900, but is much
less than the cost of an installed exhaust hood (an average cost of $2850 for a
basic unit). Filters can usually be used for six month or longer if contaminant
concentrations are low. The utility of these system coupled with the greatly reduced
investment of scrubbers when compared to fume hoods make them an excellent alternative
in many situations.
Desk fans
Small electric desk ventilators (fans) can promote sufficient air movement to
quickly disperse minimal amount of potentially offensive agents away from the breathing
zone of the employee. These fans can be quite effective if placed at the workstation
and may be operated continuously without disturbing nearby materials.
Should a problem persist, a professional evaluation of the work area should
be completed. Particular attention should be placed on ventilation in the area. |
