Industrial Hygiene Program

Methodology for Estimating the Relative Dose and Lifetime Attributable Risk of Solid Cancer Mortality Associated with the Gamma Radiation Present on the Abandoned Uranium Mines on the Navajo Nation.

Mayela Gillan
Hammond SK
McKone T
Kass J
2023

Oral Presentation at Latinxs & the Environment. Riverside, California, October 21, 2023

Continuous personal monitoring and personalized hydration recommendations with wearable sweat sensors to prevent occupational heat stress. In: Waldemar Karwowski and Tareq Ahram (eds) Artificial Intelligence, Social Computing and Wearable Technologies.

Michelle Stewart
Andrea Tineo
Benjamin Woodrow
Michael Wasik
Selina Chan
2025
Exposure to extreme heat during physical exertion may impair cognitive and physical abilities commonly known as heat stress. Industrial workers are vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat due to increasing ambient temperatures, tasks with radiant heat exposures, work intensity, and added personal protective equipment (PPE) burden. New wearable sweat sensors may help mitigate heat stress by monitoring physiological signs of dehydration and provide real-time hydration recommendations. As wearable sensors are introduced into the workplace, this study aims to understand whether continuous...

Invited Perspective: Beating the Heat

Noah Scovronick
Ajay Pillarisetti
2024

No Abstract Available

Identification of Airborne Particle Types and Sources at a California School Using Electron Microscopy

Jeff Wagner
Rosemary Castorina
Kazukiyo Kumagai
McKenna Thompson
Rebecca Sugrue
Elizabeth Noth, PhD, CIH
Asa Bradman
Susan Hurley
2023

We conducted a pilot study to investigate air quality indoors in two classrooms and outdoors on the school grounds in a California community with historically high PM2.5 (fine particulate matter, diameter < 2.5 μm). We used computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy of passive samples to identify major PM types, which were used to help interpret continuous PM2.5 and black carbon sensor data. The five major PM types were sodium salt particles with sulfur, calcium, or chlorine; aluminosilicate dusts; carbonaceous combustion...

Exposures to FD&C synthetic color additives from over-the-counter medications and vitamins in United States children and pregnant women

Ruwan Thilakaratne
Rosemary Castorina
Mayela Gillan
Dorothy Han
Teja Pattabhiraman
Anuroop Nirula
Mark D Miller
Melanie Marty
Arlie Lehmkuhler
Alyson Mitchell
Asa Bradman
2022

Background: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic color additives (SCAs) have been associated with attentional and behavioral problems in children. Efforts to quantify exposure have focused on foods, while the contribution of medications and supplements remains unknown.

Objective: To estimate exposures to SCAs in children (2-16 years) and pregnant women from intake of common over-the-counter (OTC) medications and vitamins.

Methods: We estimated single-day exposure (mg/kg/day) to FD...

Perceived benefits, barriers, perceptions, and readiness to use exoskeletons in the construction industry: Differences by demographic characteristics

Nancy Gutierrez
Aanuoluwapo Ojelade
Sunwook Kim
Alan Barr, MS
Abiola Akanmu
Maury A. Nussbaum
Carisa Harris-Adamson
2024
Exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising wearable intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks among construction workers. However, the adoption of EXOs may differ with demographic characteristics. Survey data (n = 361) were collected from construction industry stakeholders and a summation score method was used to summarize respondent's benefits and barriers to EXO use, along...

A review of occupational exposures to carcinogens among wildland firefighters

Molly West
Skylar Brown
Elizabeth Noth, PhD, CIH
Joseph Domitrovich
Kathleen Navarro
2024

Wildfires can negatively impact the health and well-being of wildland firefighters through a variety of exposure pathways. Many studies have measured acute health effects from occupational exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke; however, research specifically examining cancer risks from exposure to carcinogens is limited. This review aimed to better understand cancer risk in this occupation by assessing the existing evidence of exposures and summarizing measured concentrations of carcinogens among wildland firefighters. A systematic search was conducted to identify scientific...

Industrial Hygiene Program (UCB)

The IH program trains technical professionals and scientists committed to preventing job-related disease and injury. The program’s goal is to educate committed and passionate industrial hygienists with both a firm theoretical background to enable growth and flexibility in our rapidly changing world.

Elevator Ventilation and SARS-CoV-2-Relevant Particulate Matter Removal in Three Older California Elevators

Michael Kado
Kelsi Perttula
Elizabeth Noth, PhD, CIH
David Moore
Patton Nguyen
Charles Perrino
Mark Nicas, PhD, MPH, CIH
Katherine Hammond
2023

The objective of this study was to measure particulate matter (PM) total loss rates in three older (1940s, 1960s, and 1980s) elevators in California during two phases and three low-cost intervention modes. Tracer gas decay and <2 μm aerodynamic diameter nontoxic NaCl particles (PM2) were used to calculate PM2 loss rates. The NaCl particles were considered surrogates for smaller particles carrying SARS-CoV-2. Empirical PM2 loss rates were paired with modeled dynamic scenarios to estimate SARS...