Chemical and Biological Hazards

Presentation

The Department of Work Atmosphere and Environment includes the Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Risks having equipment and specialists put at your disposal for services in the areas of safety and health and environment.

The Laboratory develops its activities based on research partnerships within national and international projects or contracts with companies.

The causing factors of occupational diseases presented in Annex 22 of the Government Decision 1425/2006 (modified by GD 955/2010) are represented by chemical agents at a rate of no less than 70%. Besides ill health, the chemical agents can generate fires and explosions and can pollute the environment. That is why the chemical agents must be kept under control by identifying and measuring them, assessing the risks for workers and taking measures to reduce the risks.

The biological agents can also be the cause of occupational diseases, from various allergic reactions to illnesses and even death. So far, more than 1200 biological agents have been identified and studied. As they are organisms of rapid multiplication that need no special environment conditions to proliferate, the chemical agents can develop in many work places, having a negative potential on the workers’ health. The assessment of the biological risk is made by identifying the type of agent and classifying it in classes of hazards according to legislation.

Declaration of Policy

The laboratory of Chemical and Biological Risks develops its activity in accordance with the INCDPM policy on quality, environment and safety and health at work.

History

The Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Risks has been a INCDPM distinct entity for 14 years, its activity being included in other structures before. The laboratory has work and storage spaces which are adequately arranged (the rooms have all the necessary facilities and air conditioning). The Laboratory has implemented the quality management system in accordance with SR EN ISO/CEI 17025:2005 which is in course of accreditation.
The Laboratory includes the Team of Chemical Risks and Team of Biological Risks.

Staff

The members of the Laboratory have basic specializations in various areas (technology of organic /inorganic substances/silica, petrochemicals, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, radiochemistry), followed by courses of post university studies (work safety, assessment of occupational and environment risks, measuring incertitude, management systems, environment protection, etc), PhD and masterships (2 PhDs, 2 candidates for a doctor’s degree, 1 master graduate).

Testing Equipment

The technical equipment has been recently updated and the laboratory includes performance laboratory and field equipment, such as: atomic absorption spectrometer; UV-VIS spectrophotometer, gas-chromatograph (FID, ECD), titration equipment, multi-channel electrochemical detector (pH, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, etc) analytical scales, monitor for dusts, sensor detectors (for 100 substances), sensor detectors for combustion gases, sample pumps, etc. All equipment is provided with a maintenance and metrological control schedule.

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