Practical guide

A Guide to Biological Exposure Window Testing Times for Hazardous Substance Monitoring

If you are regularly exposed to hazardous substances at work, this article will help you determine when you need to submit a blood or urine sample for testing according to substance type.

5 min read

If your work exposes you to hazardous substances, you’ll be required to undergo regular health monitoring, including blood and urine tests. If unchecked, routine exposure can cause severe health issues.

Blood and urine tests need to be performed at certain times for each substance. The table below will help you determine when you need to submit a blood or urine sample for testing.

You can find more information about hazardous substances here.

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE	WHEN TO PROVIDE A SAMPLE
Arsenic (inorganic)	Urine sample should be provided at the end of shift at the end of your work week.
Benzene	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Beryllium	Urine sample should be provided at the end of shift at the end of your work week.
Butanone	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Carbon Disulfide	Urine / blood samples should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Chromium	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Creosote	Urine sample should be provided pre and post work shift.
Fluorides	Urine sample should be provided pre and post work shift.
Herbicides	Urine sample should be provided at the end of shift OR end of work week if using herbicide every day, collection must be within 48 hours of last exposure.
Isocyanates	Urine test should be performed at the end of your work shift.
Mercury (inorganic)	Urine sample should be provided at the end of shift at the end of your work week.
Methyl Bromide	Blood sample should be provided at the end of shift at the end of your work week.
MOCA 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline)	Urine sample should be provided at the end of shift at the end of your work week.
Nickel	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Organophosphate Pesticides	Urine / blood samples should be provided at the end of your work shift or the next day after exposure.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)	Urine sample should be provided pre shift at the end of your work week.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)	Urine test should be performed at the end of your work shift.
Solvents	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Thallium	Urine sample should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Toluene	Urine / blood samples should be provided at the end of your work shift.
Xylene	Urine / blood samples should be provided at the end of your work shift.

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE

WHEN TO PROVIDE A SAMPLE