Ralph and ALL:
Ralph brings up a very good point as to why there is a "sense of smell" requirement in the researchers' lab work or laboratory itself.
Under the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, the Respiratory Protection Standard, there is a requirement for a workplace assessment to determine the need for respiratory protection during routine work and foreseeable/anticipated emergency conditions.
1910.134(d)(1)(iii)The employer shall identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; this evaluation shall include a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s) and an identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form. Where the employer cannot identify or reasonably estimate the employee exposure, the employer shall consider the atmosphere to be IDLH.
if the employer determines that there is not the need for respiratory protection during routine work, but possibly only in an emergency, then the employer may have on hand SCBA's just like having fire extinguishers for a fire. Additionally, the employer may install area monitoring with alarms so that if there is a vapor or gaseous release and especially if the chemical(s) have poor warning properties or low IDLH's, the employer is not dependent upon human sense of smell.
There is another issue which Ralph brings up as it possibly relates to certain facial coverings or masks which are entering the workplace today. I'm sure you all have experienced getting into a new car and recognizing that "new car smell" and especially on a hot day when the car has been sitting in the parking lot with the windows fully closed. That, of course, is the result of the off-gassing of some of the component parts of the vehicle, whether it be the plastic "leatherette" seating and foam backings or laminate materials in the dashboard, etc.
Generally speaking, most respirator and mask companies have their manufacturing processes well controlled so that their products do not have any off-gassing issues. As you may know, filtering facepeice respirators and surgical masks do have plastic components with their plastic filter shells, straps and foam. Accordingly, the manufacturers state that these devices should be stored in a clean, safe and sanitary location at temperatures less than +30*C or +86*F and above -20*C or -4*F, humidity levels less than 80% and away from the work environment to prevent deterioration. Also, materials management personnel should practice FIFO and especially if they are stockpiling so the respirators and masks are not left on the shelf or in storage lockers past their "Use By Date." Certain respirator and mask manufacturers have Technical Bulletins to help with the guidance with these issues. They also state that the respirator and/or mask should be inspected before each use for reuse to make use it is in good working order and does not show any signs of damage, deterioration or missing parts.
As a parting funny note, over the years I have had certain customers' employees tell me that the respirator or mask stinks, when in fact it is their own bad breath they are smelling!
Be Safe, Secure & Sound in Judgement, Vigilant as Always and Stay Well!
All My Best,
John B. Callen, Ph.D
3M Personal Safety Division - Retired
ACS/DCHAS Founding Member
(312) 632-0195
I understand the theoretical reasons for the answers provided so far, but I had a couple of experiences this summer that suggest the theory might be overly simplistic. While wearing a mask in a couple of situations, I noticed a strange smell; when I took off the mask, the odor persisted, although with a different strength and nature than when I noticed it with a mask on.
I don't know if the change resulted from a change in air patterns around my nose and mouth, from the change in temperature and humidity inside the mask as opposed to outside the mask, or whether a particulate component of the odor that was impacted by the mask. I do know from many years of chasing odors in Indoor Air Quality situations that any of these components can affect individuals' sense of an odor they and their neighbors are experiencing. So I am very reluctant to tell anyone that what they experience with regard to an odor is incorrect.
I am curious though, what the research group is planning on smelling in their laboratory setting and whether their concern relates to health and safety concerns such as chemical leaks or fugitive odors, or quality control concerns such as looking for changes in their processes that usually aren't detected in another way? Covid precautions do require many adjustments in the way we have habitually done our work and we are learning a lot about our established practices as a result.
Thanks for a very interesting question.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu---
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