Can I carry out isocyanate monitoring in-house or do I need a specialist?

Technically, it’s possible to carry out some air monitoring in-house — but in most cases, especially with isocyanates, it’s strongly recommended to use a specialist.

That’s because isocyanates are tricky to monitor. They’re highly reactive and can break down if samples aren’t collected and handled just right. The equipment, sampling media, and lab analysis all need to be carefully matched and managed.

On top of that, interpreting the results requires some know-how. You need to be sure the data reflects actual exposure — which means choosing the right time to sample, accounting for work conditions, and comparing results to the Workplace Exposure Limit.

Unless your team has specific training in occupational hygiene and access to the proper tools and labs, outsourcing this work is usually the safer (and often more cost-effective) option.