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Environmental Health & Safety

CHEMICAL HYGIENE PROGRAM

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  1. LOCAL EXHAUST SYSTEMS

    2. OSHA requires the use of engineering controls to prevent exposures to laboratory employees.  Many chemicals should be used only with the appropriate local exhaust system (fume hoods, slot hoods, canopy hoods, glove boxes, etc.) to prevent inhalation exposures.  By far, laboratory staff using a chemical fume hood as it is intended is the most important component of engineering control.

    1. Fume Hoods
      1. University Fume Hood Standard (new fume hoods)
        1. New chemical fume hoods must undergo acceptance testing by the Laboratory Safety Unit.  Acceptance testing shall be conducted in accordance to the most recent edition of the University of Rochester Design Standards, Division 15, Standard 860, and EH&S Construction Guidance Document.  Should a chemical fume hood be found not to conform to University standards, a report will be made to Campus Planning, Design, & Construction Management to have corrective actions taken.
        2. Once the new chemical fume hood is found to meet acceptable face velocity, a sticker is placed on the hood indicating the acceptable sash height for use, the date of the testing, the initials of the inspector, and an expiration date, one year from the acceptance test.
        3. All new chemical fume hoods must have an electrical flow indicator to warn personnel when the hood is not functioning properly.
      2. Existing Chemical Fume Hoods
        1. Many University chemical fume hoods installed before 1990 do not have an alarm to confirm adequate hood performance for use. When a lab changes occupancy or a renovation occurs in a lab (other than a paint and patch), a local fume hood alarm system must be installed.  Contact the Laboratory Safety Unit for acceptable alarm systems.
        2. The face velocities of chemical fume hoods at the University are checked by the Laboratory Safety Unit, except for those fume hoods located in Hutchison Hall, which are checked by River Campus Facilities.
    2. Fume Hood Face Velocity Measurements
      1. Standard chemical fume hood face velocity shall be 100 ± 20 linear feet per minute (fpm) with the fume hood sash approximately 2/3 open (18-19.5” opening).  For those fume hoods with horizontally sliding sashes, the Laboratory Safety Unit will determine the appropriate sash position to afford the 100 ± 20 fpm value.
      2. Low-flow or high-efficiency chemical fume hoods shall be 80 ± 10 linear feet per minute (fpm) with the fume hood sash approximately 2/3 open (18-19.5” opening) to comply with NIH requirements. For those low-flow or high-efficiency fume hoods with horizontally sliding sashes, the Laboratory Safety Unit will determine the appropriate sash position to afford the 80 ± 10 fpm value.
      3. Green Technologies ductless chemical fume hoods shall be 60 ± 10 linear feet per minute (fpm) with the fume hood sash approximately 2/3 open (18-19.5” opening).  This very low air flow was found acceptable because the filters were found to remove the low hazard chemical vapors from the airstream very effectively (see XVI.K for details).  These hoods are limited to the use of chemicals that are effectively removed from the air.
      4. A sticker will be placed on the chemical fume hood indicating the acceptable sash height for use, the date of the testing, the initials of the inspector, and an expiration date. If the chemical fume hood is found not to have an acceptable face velocity, the problem will be reported to Facilities for corrective action.
      5. Any existing chemical fume hood that does not have a mechanical or electrical flow indicator will have a piece of surveyor’s tape, or equivalent, attached to the sash to indicate proper air movement into the hood.  When the chemical fume hood is operational, the tape should be drawn into the fume hood.  Hoods with operational mechanical or electrical flow indicator devices do not require the use of surveyor’s tape.
      6. The face velocities of all chemical fume hoods are to be measured annually except for those hoods in labs that are not occupied. Hoods in these locations will be posted with a sign stating “FUME HOOD NOT OPERATIONAL – DO NOT USE”. These hoods will be reevaluated when the Laboratory Safety Unit is notified that the space will again be used.
    3. Chemical Fume Hoods Not Meeting University Standards
      1. If a chemical fume hood is found NOT to be functioning properly, lab personnel must notify Facilities immediately by calling x3-4567.  A note must be placed on the fume hood stating “HOOD BROKEN, FACILIITE HAS BEEN CALLED” as a reminder to lab staff of the problem.
      2. Upon notification that the chemical fume hood has been repaired, Facilities is to notify the Laboratory Safety Unit so the face velocity of the chemical fume hood can be checked.  If the chemical fume hood still does NOT work or conform to University standards, Facilities will be notified immediately.  Those chemical fume hoods that do not pass will have a sign posted on the sash stating, "DO NOT USE FUME HOOD".
      3. Those chemical fume hoods not meeting University Standards can be used for storage of materials.  These hoods must have a sign posted on the sash stating "FUME HOOD FOR STORAGE ONLY".
    4. Expectation of Fume Hood Users
      1. Check the airflow alarm before and during use.  These alarms can normally be found on the right side of the chemical fume hood. The face velocity of these alarms can vary during use (especially on windy days) but should be close to the value as listed in XVI.B above.  Those hoods installed before 1990 may not have an electronic airflow alarm need to observe the piece of surveyor’s tape, or equivalent, attached to the sash to indicate proper air movement into the hood.
      2. Do not work in a malfunctioning hood.  If your hood does not appear to be working properly, call Facilities at x3-4567.
      3. Check the inspection sticker on the hood to verify it has been inspected within the last 12 months.  If it is over 12 months, call the Laboratory Safety Unit at x5-3241.
      4. Use the chemical fume hood properly by:
        1. Always work at least 6” inside the chemical fume hood to ensure chemicals and vapors are not released into the lab.
        2. Do not use fume hood with the sash higher than the approved working height.
        3. Always keep items stored in a chemical fume hood to a minimum.  The greater the number and size of the items, the higher the probability of the creation of a disruptive air flow that could generate chemicals and vapors into the lab.
        4. If large items must be used inside of a chemical fume hood (for example, a drying oven), place 2” blocks under the equipment to allow air to readily flow through the hood.
        5. Never place your head inside a chemical fume hood.  Such action could result in chemical exposures.
        6. Chemical fume hoods are for the use of chemicals.  Use a biological safety cabinet for the control of biological hazards.
        7. Do not modify your chemical fume hood.  The installation of shelves on the side or back walls of the unit can compromise the air flow within the hood resulting in chemical exposures.
        8. All electrical appliances need to be plugged into outlets outside of a chemical fume hood.  Never place a power strip within a chemical fume hood to permit plugging in appliances.
        9. Even though some protection may be afforded by the sash, eye protection is still required.
    5. Slot Hoods
      1. Photographic development processes lend themselves to the use of slot hoods.  Such an application permits the removal of vapors from the solutions to help prevent inhalation exposures to those in the room.  Although there are no recognized standards for these slot hoods, personnel are advised to contact the Laboratory Safety Unit should they believe the slot hoods are not working as designed.
      2. Slot hoods can also be used for those applications where the directional air flow is away from the employee and towards the exhaust system to assist in the removal of vapors from laboratory processes and minimize potential exposures.  Such applications can include cell staining trays and special grossing stations used in Pathology.
    6. Canopy Hoods
      1. Canopy hoods are often placed above laboratory equipment that can release odorous or potentially hazardous agents.  Such equipment includes autoclaves, automated staining units, and atomic absorption devices.   Although there are no recognized standards for canopy hoods, personnel are advised to contact the Laboratory Safety Unit should they believe they are not working as designed.
      2. The installation of some canopy hoods may require special alignment and/or practices to ensure that all of the odors or hazardous components are contained and exhausted from the location and out of the building.  Contact the Laboratory Safety Unit for assistance should problems be noted for these systems.
    7. Glove Boxes
      1. Glove boxes provide personnel with special containment devices for the more hazardous chemical agents.  Many glove boxes utilize an oxygen-free and moisture-free atmosphere.
      2. To prevent the release of odors/vapors from gloves box, the exhaust for these devices can be directed into a fume hood or other local exhaust system.  Contact the Laboratory Safety Unit for assistance on the planning/installation of such a system.
    8. Class II Biological Safety Cabinets
      1. Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) are traditionally used for the control of particulates that may be released while working with biological agents and are designed to provide product, environment, and employee protection.  Some labs utilize BSCs for the control of high hazard agents such as beryllium or antineoplastic agents.  BSCs use vertical laminar airflow to create a barrier to airborne particles. HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air), within the biosafety cabinet, filter the air going into the environment or laboratory with an efficiency of 99.97% for a 0.3 micron size particle. HEPA filters do not filter out gases or vapors.
      2. There are two major groups of Class II BSCs: the Type A2 and the Type B. Class II Type A BSC vents the filtered air directly into the laboratory while Class II Type B cabinet is ducted like a fume hood and vents the filtered air outside. Since the Type A2 and B1 cabinets recirculate much of the air entering the cabinet, it is important to minimize the quantity of flammable materials such as alcohols that may be used to “disinfect” the cabinet prior to use.  Class II B2 cabinets or fume hoods are required for using larger amounts of hazardous volatile chemicals; both of these devices use negative pressure and single-pass air for employee protection.
      3. All BSCs are certified according to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) 49 Class II (Laminar Flow) when initially installed. As a general rule, BSCs then must be re-certified at least annually, following service, and following re-location of a cabinet.  Servicing of the internal workings of these units is performed only by a NSF certified 3rd party contractors.
      4. As a general rule, BSCs must be decontaminated with formaldehyde gas, generated from paraformaldehyde, prior to being moved to another location and prior to service or maintenance that involves opening a contaminated plenum.  Such decontamination is performed only by a NSF certified 3rd party contractor.
    9. Clean Benches (Blow Out Hoods, Unidirectional Hoods)

      10. A laminar flow "Clean Bench" provides the horizontal or vertical positive pressure flow air environment for product protection only. The horizontal flow clean benches can be used in clinical, pharmaceutical, and laboratory facilities for certain manipulations of clean materials (e.g. pouring agar plates, etc.) but must not be used for biohazard materials, toxic chemicals/drugs, or radioactive materials.

    10. Special HEPA/ULPA Cabinets

      11. Some locations that utilize only chemicals (no biologicals) may have ducted HEPA filtered or ULPA cabinets that operate in a similar manner as BSCs (particulate control).  They provide product, environment, and employee protection.  Contact the Laboratory Safety Unit for requirements for the servicing and installing these devices.

    11. Ductless Fume Hoods
      1. Many companies/manufacturers distribute ductless fume hoods as a means of protection for lab personnel. Such use requires the laboratory users to match the type of filters to the chemicals to be used and requires the filter be changed at the prescribed frequency. This frequency is related to the quantity of solvent that passes through the filter, the time the filter is in use, and using solvents that offer good warning properties (odor can be detected before a possible over-expLaboratory Safety Unitre can occur.  The use of a ductless fume hood with one or more chemicals that pass directly through the filter offers NO protection for lab personnel. The Laboratory Safety Unit will determine which units can be purchased based on acceptable protection for the users.  At this time, the Green Fume Hood Technologies ductless fume hoods have a listing of those chemicals that can be used in the units and also provides a list of prohibited chemicals.  The unit’s sensors will provide adequate warnings to the users should the first filter no longer removes the contaminants.
      2. Ductless fume hoods can be used only in those locations and applications as approved by the Laboratory Safety Unit prior to their purchase or use.  Such use requires that the date of the last filter change be listed on the hood, the filter changed at the prescribed frequency as listed by the manufacturer, and the location of use provides good general ventilation.
      3. The Laboratory Safety Unit reserves the right to remove ductless fume hoods for those locations where the units were installed inappropriately or used inappropriately.
    12. Down-Draft Dissection Stations

      13. These stations are constructed of stainless steel to allow for easy disinfection of surfaces.  Each unit has a down draft exhaust ventilation system to help remove air contaminants from the work zone.  They are also equipped with a recessed sink, water fixtures, a hand spray hose, electrical duplexes, and a grinder.

      The Laboratory Safety Unit will review plans for the installation of any down-draft dissection tables to ensure they are set up with the proper exhaust ventilation, supply ventilation system, and any other special needs.

QUESTIONS or COMMENTS? Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 7/30/2015. Disclaimer.

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