Abstract

The IRSST laboratories produced over 124,000 analysis results for air samples taken in Québec companies between 1994 and 1996. This report presents the substances found in highest concentration at the time of the sampling, as well as the sectors where the samples were taken. The sectors most concerned are chemicals, transportation equipment, mining, quarries and oil wells, rubber and plastic materials, non-metallic mineral products and metal products. Among the known pollutants most frequently detected and found in concentrations more than twice the norm are dichloromethane, welding fumes, unclassified dust, quartz, styrene and lead. In addition, an in-depth examination revealed a certain number of new cases: unclassified dust in peat bogs; acrylonitrile in adhesives; dichloromethane in other metal product swaging industries as well as in the wooden furniture industries.