Research of the Analysis Methods Division is conducted in accordance with the polices and legal standards of CLA, including development of sampling analysis technology for hazards substance present in the working environment, occupational biological monitoring technology and development of local sampling equipment and real-time monitoring apparatus. To support related technology demands of CLA's Department of Labor Safety and Health, Department of Labor Inspection, other divisions of IOSH and enterprises, this division will conduct survey of chemical risk factors and assist in performing analysis of samples taken from workplace to determine occupational diseases.

Establishment of recommended sampling and analytical methods for hazardous chemicals used in workplace

Overexposure of organic vapors, toxic gases, metal fumes, dusts, acid mists, asbestos, and free crystalline silica may harm the health of workers. It is hoped that through environmental monitoring, one can understand the actual situation and evaluate the damage of the health of workers. To ensure the accuracy and precision of analytical results, the IOSH has extensively developed the sampling and analytical methods for hazardous chemicals widely used in workplace. These methods are provided to the CLA as the useful tool for environmental monitoring. More than 200 recommended sampling and analytical methods have been established since the inception of IOSH 1992.

Exposure survey of hazardous chemicals used in workplace

Conduct the nationwide exposure surveys on cases with occupational diseases or industries with high risk of chemical hazards. Since the inception of IOSH, it has actively conducted on-site nationwide exposure surveys in more than 30 industries or highly concerned hazardous chemicals. The results of the exposure surveys can be used to understand the actual exposures of workers and provide the scientific basis for regulatory enforcement, revision of permissible exposure limits, and the improvement of working condition of enterprises.

Establishment of biological monitoring methods

Biological monitoring can be used to evaluate the total uptake dose of hazardous chemicals through different exposure routes. Biological monitoring can supplement the insufficiency of traditional exposure monitoring methods that can only evaluate the exposure through inhalation. It's also helpful in detecting the over exposure of workers, understanding the major exposure routes, and diagnosing the causes of occupational diseases. Since the inception of IOSH, more than 25 biological monitoring methods have been established and actively used in the nationwide exposure survey and toxicokinetic studies of hazardous chemicals in workplace.

Development of new sampling techniques and equipment

With the rapid industrialization, change of processes and raw materials, and multiple exposure status, we need cheaper, smaller, and more convenient sampling techniques and samplers for hazardous chemicals used in highly humid and temperature workplace of this country. In the past few years, IOSH has successfully developed several new samplers and sampling techniques such as FTIR, passive samplers, thermal desorption methods, size-selective aerosol samplers, personal denuder for acid gases and aerosols, and time activity recorder for personal exposures. These new sampling techniques and samplers can make a break through of the current technical bottleneck and promote the quality of data on exposure assessment of occupational medicine.