Heavy Metal & Occupational Exposure Testing

Employees in batteries, foundries, welding, galvanising, paint and mining can be exposed to heavy metals. Detecting exposure early is the most effective way to prevent lasting harm.

The Regulation on Health and Safety Measures in Work with Chemical Substances sets the binding biological limit value for lead at 70 micrograms per 100 ml of blood. Medical surveillance is carried out when lead in air exceeds 0.075 mg/m³ or when an employee's blood lead exceeds 40 micrograms per 100 ml. When the limit is exceeded, the employee is informed, the risk assessment is reviewed and reassignment to other work is considered where necessary.

Turkish legislation sets no binding biological limit values for cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium and nickel, only limits for workplace air. The occupational physician decides whether to monitor these markers, and results are interpreted against international references. Employees approaching the limits are reported separately to your occupational physician.