What is the standard procedure for rubber fume and dust exposure testing?

The standard procedure for testing rubber fume and dust exposure typically starts with a site assessment to identify where and how the exposures might occur — like during mixing, curing, or trimming operations. From there, a trained occupational hygienist will use personal sampling equipment (often a small pump clipped onto a worker’s belt) to collect airborne contaminants in their breathing zone during a typical shift.

The samples are then sent to an accredited lab to measure the concentration of rubber fumes or airborne particulates. The results are compared against UK Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) to assess if action is needed.

It's important that the sampling reflects real working conditions — so testing should be done when normal tasks are happening, ideally when the process is at its most active. In some cases, static sampling may also be used to check background levels in the workspace.

Once the results are in, you’ll receive a report with exposure levels, whether they exceed legal limits, and what actions (if any) are recommended to reduce risk.