TEST

Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Testing 

Workers in full Tychem chemical suits, full-face respirators and heavy gloves handle dark oily materials from 200L drums near a steaming distillation unit in a modern industrial warehouse. Stainless steel reactors, industrial fume extraction hoods and yellow safety barriers surround the high-risk poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) processing area. Pallet racking stores chemical containers while concrete floors show yellow hazard lines. Natural daylight streams through high warehouse windows, illuminating steam haze from PAH volatilisation during manufacturing. The controlled environment represents typical Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd PAH assessment locations across NSW manufacturing facilities. (see the generated image above)

Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Testing

Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd brings decades of hands-on experience to poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) testing and assessment across NSW and Victoria. If your manufacturing plant, processing facility or high-heat operation generates PAH contaminants through combustion, thermal processes or organic material handling, our specialist team delivers onsite PAH monitoring that turns complex exposure risks into clear, actionable compliance strategies. With Certified Occupational Hygienists leading every project, we help mining, industrial and construction businesses stay ahead of SafeWork Australia guidance and reduce occupational PAH exposure before it impacts your people.

Our PAH testing services are more than measurements; they are your pathway to safer workplaces and stronger regulatory standing. Picture this: instead of wondering if airborne PAH exposure is creeping up in your furnace room or asphalt plant, you get precise data, proven controls and documentation that satisfies WHS auditors. From initial poly aromatic hydrocarbons assessment to ongoing workplace PAH monitoring, we partner with NSW and Victorian operators to eliminate guesswork and deliver results that protect workers and boost operational confidence. Ready to safeguard your team? Book a PAH assessment today and see the difference expertise makes.

Onsite PAH Services

  • Immediate Onsite PAH Assessment
    – Real-time air sampling with portable analysers for instant preliminary results
    – No shipping delays or external lab processing
    – Perfect for high-priority furnace rooms, asphalt plants and mixing areas
  • Mobile PAH Monitoring – Statewide Reach
    – Fully equipped service vehicles for regional NSW and Victoria sites
    – Remote mining camps, rural manufacturing plants, coastal processing facilities
    – 24-48 hour deployment capability across metropolitan and regional locations

  • Shift-Matched Workplace PAH Testing Services
    – Full-shift personal exposure monitoring (8-12 hour sampling)
    – Task-specific sampling during highest PAH generation activities
    – Multiple operators tested simultaneously across production lines

  • Real-Time Data Validation
    – Onsite equipment calibration checks before every deployment
    – Duplicate sampling for quality assurance
    – Preliminary exposure estimates available same working day

  • Multi-Site Program Management
    – Single contract covers multiple NSW/VIC facilities
    – Coordinated scheduling across factory sites, warehouses and field operations
    – Consolidated reporting for corporate WHS compliance programs

Why PAH Exposure Demands Immediate Action

Poly aromatic hydrocarbons pose serious health risks, from skin irritation and respiratory issues to long-term cancer concerns linked to lung, bladder and skin tumours. SafeWork Australia estimates 6.7% of Australian workers face PAH exposure during common tasks like burning materials or welding coated surfaces. Manufacturing PAH exposure and processing plant PAH monitoring are non-negotiable for duty holders serious about workplace safety.

  • Combustion byproducts from furnaces, kilns and incinerators create high PAH levels

  • High temperature process PAH exposure spikes during metal fabrication and asphalt production

  • Industrial PAH assessment reveals hidden risks in ventilation-limited environments

PAH Exposure Standards and Compliance Essentials

Australian workplaces must manage PAH exposure as low as reasonably practicable, with specific limits for compounds like naphthalene and coal tar pitch volatiles. NSW and Victorian regulators expect documented evidence of PAH workplace compliance, including exposure monitoring and control verification. Our PAH regulatory requirements support packages deliver everything from baseline testing to audit-ready reports.

PAH Assessment Process : What We Deliver

Our occupational PAH assessment follows a proven four-step approach tailored to industrial poly aromatic hydrocarbons challenges:

  • Site audit and source mapping: Identify PAH generation points in your manufacturing or thermal processes

  • Personal and area sampling: Onsite PAH testing captures real breathing-zone exposure over full shifts

  • NIOSH or equivalent lab analysis: Quantify 16 priority PAHs plus biomarkers if needed

  • Control recommendations: Engineering, administrative and PPE strategies backed by data

This structured poly aromatic hydrocarbons testing delivers PAH health risks insights that drive meaningful change.

PAH Monitoring Across Key Industries

Workplace PAH monitoring shines brightest where risks are highest. Our services target:

  • Manufacturing PAH exposure: Rubber, plastics, chemicals and metal processing plants

  • Industrial process PAH assessment: Asphalt production, carbon black handling, coke ovens

  • Combustion & high-heat environments: Foundries, kilns, waste incineration, power generation

Mobile PAH monitoring lets us test multiple sites without downtime, perfect for regional NSW mines or Victorian factories.

PAH Exposure Comparison Table

 

Control LayerPAH-Specific MeasuresEffectivenessApplication Examples
Engineering ControlsLocal exhaust ventilation at furnaces, enclosed mixing systems, fume extraction hoodsHigh (70-90% reduction)Asphalt plants, foundries, chemical mixing
Process SubstitutionWater-based cleaners, low-PAH asphalt formulations, electric heating alternativesVery High (90%+ reduction)Manufacturing, surface coating operations
Administrative ControlsRotation schedules, process enclosure, wet methods, housekeeping protocolsModerate (30-50% reduction)Maintenance, cleaning, batch processing
Personal ProtectionFull-face APRs, chemical-resistant gloves, Tychem coveralls, skin barrier creamsLast ResortShort-term high-exposure tasks

Industries We Serve : PAH Exposure Solutions

  • Asphalt Production: Hot mix fumes release benzo(a)pyrene during paving and loading. Paver operators face chronic airborne PAH exposure. OHOS delivers full-shift personal monitoring and enclosed cab ventilation assessments. Book PAH assessment for immediate compliance.

  • Metal Foundries: Carbon electrodes and furnace emissions generate PAHs during melting. Maintenance crews risk skin absorption from ladle residues. Our task-specific sampling covers mould prep through shakeout. Request PAH monitoring quote for foundry safety.

  • Chemical Manufacturing: Distillation bottoms and reactor fugitives create peak exposures during batch charging. Multi-point monitoring across process units identifies high-risk zones. OHOS verifies closed-loop transfer effectiveness. Contact us for chemical plant PAH testing.

  • Rubber Manufacturing: Carbon black fillers volatilise PAHs during high-shear mixing and extrusion. Compounding operators face breathing zone risks. We test during peak emission cycles with low-PAH substitution evaluations. Schedule workplace PAH monitoring today.

  • Waste Incineration: Incomplete combustion produces complex PAH mixtures in ash residues. Furnace maintenance teams face highest exposures. OHOS tests combustion off-gas and wet scrubber performance. Book onsite PAH assessment for waste facilities.

  • Power Generation: Coal boiler fly ash and heavy fuel combustion generate chronic low-level exposures. Turbine maintenance and ash silo operators at risk. We monitor boiler houses and precipitator effectiveness. Request PAH monitoring services now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What are poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and where do they come from in workplaces?
    Poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are complex organic compounds formed during incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials like coal, oil, wood, or petrol. In Australian workplaces, PAHs generate from asphalt paving, metal foundries, chemical manufacturing, coke ovens, and waste incineration. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd specialises in identifying these sources through comprehensive poly aromatic hydrocarbons assessment, helping NSW and Victorian manufacturers eliminate hidden PAH contaminants before they impact worker health. Contact us today to book PAH assessment for your facility.

  2. What is PAH exposure and how does it affect workers over time?
    PAH exposure occurs through inhalation of airborne vapours, skin absorption from contaminated surfaces, or ingestion from poor hygiene practices. Short-term effects include eye irritation, nausea and dermatitis; long-term exposure links to lung cancer, bladder cancer and skin tumours. Our workplace PAH monitoring captures full-shift personal exposure data across manufacturing processes. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd delivers actionable PAH exposure reports. Request your PAH monitoring quote now.

  3. Are PAHs hazardous and which compounds pose the greatest risk?
    Yes, PAHs are Group 1 carcinogens with benzo(a)pyrene recognised as the most potent. Naphthalene, chrysene and coal tar pitch volatiles also trigger strict SafeWork controls. Manufacturing environments with furnace emissions or hot mix asphalt face highest risks. Let Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd conduct professional PAH testing to quantify your specific 16 priority PAH compounds and implement targeted controls immediately.

  4. When is PAH monitoring required under Australian WHS regulations?
    SafeWork Australia mandates PAH monitoring where workers perform tasks involving combustion byproducts, bitumen handling, or carbon electrode use. High-risk indicators include visible fumes, tarry residues, or known PAH processes. NSW manufacturing plants and Victorian asphalt producers must demonstrate ALARP controls. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd provides regulator-ready PAH monitoring services across both states. Schedule your compliance assessment today.

  5. How does PAH air testing differ from standard VOC monitoring?
    PAH air testing targets specific carcinogenic polycyclic compounds using NIOSH Method 5515 or equivalent, analysing 16 EPA priority pollutants. Standard VOC monitoring misses these complex structures. Our onsite PAH testing uses validated sorbent tubes and GC-MS analysis for court-defensible results. Trust Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd for specialist pah air testing that meets Australian laboratory accreditation standards.

  6. Can PAH exposure be measured during normal production operations without shutdown?
    Absolutely. Our mobile PAH monitoring deploys lightweight personal samplers that workers wear through complete 8-12 hour shifts. Multiple operators tested simultaneously across production lines, maintenance tasks and furnace areas. Sampling integrates seamlessly without disrupting asphalt laying, metal pouring or chemical batching. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd guarantees zero-downtime PAH exposure assessment for continuous operations.

  7. Which Australian industries face the highest PAH exposure risks and why?
    Asphalt production (hot mix fumes), aluminium smelting (carbon baking), steel foundries (electrode use), rubber manufacturing (carbon black), and waste-to-energy plants lead PAH exposure. Confined spaces amplify concentrations 10x above outdoor levels. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd tailors industrial PAH assessment programs for these high-risk sectors across NSW and Victoria.

  8. How quickly will I receive actionable results from PAH testing?
    Preliminary exposure estimates available same working day from field instrumentation. Full laboratory GC-MS analysis with 16 priority PAHs quantified within 7-10 working days. Comprehensive reports include exposure banding, regulatory comparisons, and site-specific control recommendations ready for WHS committee presentation. Book PAH assessment with Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd for fastest turnaround in Australia.

  9. Do you provide PAH monitoring services for regional and remote manufacturing sites?
    Yes, our fully equipped service vehicles reach rural NSW manufacturing plants, Victorian regional asphalt facilities, and remote mining camps. Single-day deployments possible within 500km radius of major centres. Multi-site programs coordinate testing across factory headquarters plus satellite operations. Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd eliminates geography barriers for comprehensive PAH monitoring Australia-wide.

  10. How do I initiate a PAH exposure management program for regulatory compliance?
    Start with our four-phase approach: 1) Initial site walk-through and source mapping, 2) Risk-based sampling strategy development, 3) Full-shift personal and area monitoring, 4) Control verification and ALARP documentation. Every program led by Certified Occupational Hygienists with 20+ years industrial experience. Contact Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd now to book PAH assessment and build your bulletproof WHS compliance program.

 

The OHOS Difference : Why Industry Leaders Choose Us

Occupational Hygiene & OHS Solutions Pty Ltd stands apart with Certified Occupational Hygienists who have audited hundreds of PAH-exposed sites. We don’t just test; we translate data into controls that work. From PAH assessment company leadership to pah monitoring services delivery, our 20+ years deliver trust and results.