Abstract

In 1998, the IRSST's laboratories performed more than 35 300 environmental analyses of samples collected from companies in 50 major industrial sectors. This summary reports the number of analyses performed for each type of compound analyzed, the concentration ranges observed, and the current Quebec standard for each analyte. In addition, major trends related to substances present in high concentrations in the workplace including welding fumes, miscellaneous dusts, dichloromethane and hard- and softwood dusts ? are described. This document is a source of information that will help health and safety researchers and specialists establish research and field priorities.