Use of a Centrifugal evaporator to increase productivity in toxicological hygiene and occupational health screening

Screening of humans for exposure to toxic pollutants in the environment is an important facet of Occupational Health & Hygiene. The wide prevalence of trace levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from industrial processes means that in the Western world, screening for levels of these agents is becoming increasingly important. As well as broad epidemiological data, such mass screening can identify early problems associated with specific industries, regions or processes, none more so than in Italy where the Seveso chemical plant disaster of July 1976 contributed to a widespread background pollution from 1,4-Dioxin and 2,4,5 Trichlorophenol (Figures 1 & 2). These are two of the most potent and long-lived PCBs, which were used in the manufacture of herbicides at the plant.