Evaluating Exposure

Coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs) are measured by passing workplace air through a sampling device and then analyzing the sample for the compounds of interest. The following references aid in evaluating levels of CTPVs.

• OSHA Occupational Chemical Database. OSHA's premier one-stop shop for occupational chemical information. It compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Information available on the pages includes chemical identification and physical properties, exposure limits, sampling information, and additional resources.
  • Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Analytical Methods

OSHA

OSHA has developed and validated methods for use by the Salt Lake Technical Center Laboratory. The following standard methods have been adopted by many laboratories for the analysis of chemical compounds.

• Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles (CTPV), Coke Oven Emissions (COE), and Selected Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Method 58, (July 1986).

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

• NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM). NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed. NMAM also includes chapters on quality assurance, sampling, portable instrumentation, etc.
  • Benzene-Soluble Fraction and Total Particulate (Asphalt Fume). Method 5042, (January 15, 1998).
  • Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by HPLC. Method 5506, (January 15, 1998).
  • Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by GC. Method 5515, (August 15, 1994).