Which silica test do you need?
IRIS Environmental Laboratories · 2 min read
OSHA personal sampling, indoor air or bulk analysis: match your role and trigger to the right crystalline silica test, method and limit.
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IRIS tests crystalline silica three ways. Each answers a different question, so pick the right one before you order.
Match your situation
| Situation | Test |
|---|---|
| Your workers cut, drill or jackhammer concrete or masonry (OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1) | OSHA personal breathing zone (PBZ) |
| You are documenting worker exposure for compliance records | OSHA PBZ |
| An occupied building next to demolition or renovation, with complaints or an IAQ concern | Ambient / IAQ |
| You need the silica content of a material before work begins | Bulk material analysis |
| Pre-demolition assessment, or confirming the air after the work | PBZ and bulk |
The three tests
| Test | Method | Compared with | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA PBZ | NIOSH 7500 / 7602 (IR) | OSHA PEL 50 µg/m³, Action Level 25 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA) | 3 to 5 business days |
| Ambient / IAQ | NIOSH 7602 (IR), EPA PM2.5 / PM10 reference | NIOSH REL 0.05 mg/m³, EPA NAAQS PM2.5 / PM10 benchmarks | 3 to 5 business days |
| Bulk material | NIOSH 9002 / EPA 600 | Silica % by weight, to classify the hazard before work | 3 to 5 business days |
Where silica comes from
Concrete cutting and sawing, jackhammering and drilling, tuck-pointing and grinding, demolition, abrasive blasting, and HVAC recirculation in occupied buildings near active construction.
Collecting and sending
- Contact the lab first with your task type, matrix and regulatory requirement. They confirm the method, filter media and sampling duration in one reply.
- PBZ: clip the sampler to the worker's lapel. IAQ: position samplers in the occupied areas. Bulk: collect material from the source.
- Complete the silica COC.
- Drop off at 2333 US-22 West, Union, NJ 07083, Monday to Friday before 4:00 PM ET, or ship overnight with the COC inside.
The certified report, COC and PDF arrive by email, in a format accepted for OSHA and regulatory submissions.
Download the silica COC (PDF). For help with OSHA Table 1 tasks or sampling strategy, contact the lab or email support@irislaboratories.com.
Chain of custody
Pick the form that matches your test.
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