How Do You Use Local Exhaust Ventilation To Control Hazardous Chemical Exposures?
There are several methods to control hazardous chemicals. The best method is to eliminate it; the next best solution is to substitute a less toxic or less hazardous chemical for the one in use. If the substance in use cannot be engineered out and there is no way to prevent all harmful levels of exposure, then ventilation is used. The next best method is the wear of personal protective equipment and, when there is no way to control exposure, to regulate the amount of time an employee can be exposed to the chemical through administrative controls. A combination of general ventilation (whole area air circulation) and local ventilation is commonly employed. Local ventilation is provided through vacuum air suction for removing vapors, gases, and particulates at the source of the airborne contamination. It is a major engineering control for removing hazardous chemical vapors, dusts, and fumes from the point of generation. The vacuuming action prevents the contaminant from entering the worker
