SOP 6.

2: Ventilation or
Household
Hazardous
Continuous Air
Waste
Monitoring Devices
Contents
1. Introduction.....................................................................................1
2. Regulatory and contractual requirements...........................................1
3. Health and safety precautions............................................................1
4. AQ sampling.....................................................................................2
5. AQ equipment maintenance......................................................2

1. Introduction
Facility air quality may be compromised during the processing of hazardous wastes (HW), including the
bulking of aerosol can contents, oil base paints, fuels, or solvents. The proper operation and maintenance
of Facility continuous air quality (AQ) monitoring and/or ventilation equipment is important to ensure
adequate air quality for staff health and to prevent potential fires from the accumulating vapors.

2. Regulatory and contractual requirements

The use and maintenance of continuous AQ monitoring equipment is governed by U.S. EPAs National
Ambient Air Standards, Minn. Local Building and Uniform Fire Codes, Minn. Rules ch. 7045.0562, subp.
1, 7510, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000, 1910.106(e)(3)(v). To view the Household Hazardous Waste
Program Air Monitoring Study, see www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/hhw/hhw-resources.html#air.

3. Health and safety precautions

3.1 The designated staff responsible for ensuring adequate ventilation is the Facility Manager.
Continuous Air Quality (AQ) monitoring equipment tests for solvent mixtures to determine the
effectiveness of the Facility ventilation system (if the Facility has such equipment).

3.2 Adequate respiratory protection shall be provided to Facility staff only when engineering controls
have been shown to be infeasible for the control of the hazards or during the interim period when
engineering controls are being installed; see SOP 2.5 Respirator Program.

3.3 No smoking shall be allowed in or near the Facility.

3.4 In the event asbestos waste is required to be managed, Program staff shall evaluate each situation
and determine an appropriate response; see SOP 4.22 Asbestos Waste.

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4. AQ sampling
4.1 The purpose of air sampling at an HHW Facility is to evaluate staff exposure to solvents while
processing wastes (bulking oil base paints, fuels, flammables, and aerosols) to determine if current
personal protective measures are adequate. Not all HHW Facilities are equipped with air monitoring
devices.

4.2 OSHA standards do not specifically require this Facility to conduct air sampling. Instead, OSHA
requires the employer to evaluate exposures to determine whether staff is exposed above the limit.
Assessment of Facility operations combined with the data from air monitoring studies that have
been conducted by the State at individual Facilities can be used to make an exposure determination.

4.3 Air monitoring data is available to determine an overall health risk associated with inhaling Facility
ambient air. This risk is determined based on the levels of several pollutants measured in the air
(e.g., carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, sulfur). The
health effects associated with inhaling these pollutants has been studied, and ambient air quality
standards have been set. If the level of any one pollutant exceeds its standard, the health of Facility
staff may be compromised. Staff shall take preventive measures to reduce exposures which have the
potential to compromise human health.

5. AQ equipment maintenance
5.1 If Class I liquids (exhibiting a flashpoint from 0 to 100 F) are bulked indoors, the area shall have a
minimum ventilation of 1 cubic foot per minute, per square foot of Facility floor space. Generally,
Facility contractors will ensure this requirement is met during Facility construction.

5.2 If the Facility is equipped with continuous AQ monitoring devices, they shall be maintained and
calibrated according to manufacturer instructions. Refer to equipment operation manuals for all
scheduled maintenance, repair, and/or adjustments. Keep all maintenance records. The designated
staff responsible for ensuring adequate Facility ventilation shall determine:

Is the volume and velocity of air in each exhaust system sufficient to gather the dusts, fumes,
mists, vapors, or gases then control and convey them to a suitable point of disposal?

Are exhaust inlets, ducts, and plenums designed, constructed, and supported to prevent collapse
or failure of any part of the system?

Are clean-out ports or doors provided at appropriate intervals in the horizontal runs of exhaust
ducts?

If two or more different types of operations are being controlled through the same exhaust
system, does the combination of substances being controlled constitute a fire, explosion, or
chemical reaction hazard?

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 Is adequate makeup air provided to areas where exhaust systems are operating?

Is the source point for makeup air located so that only clean, fresh air, free of contaminates
enters the work environment?

Where two or more ventilation systems are serving a work area, is their operation such that one
will not offset the functions of the other?

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