Industrial Hygiene

Quantifying Occupational Heat Stress Among U.S. Agricultural Workers

About the Webinar:

Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rashes. This presentation will explore the public health burden of heat stress in agricultural workers in the United States. Learners will also discuss challenges surrounding the measurement of occupational heat stress, and methods to assess heat stress exposure using spatial and meteorological data.

Permeation Through Disposable Nitrile Gloves: Gun Cleaning Solvents and Gunshot Residue

About the Webinar:

Firearms emit a complex mixture of inorganic and organic compounds that pose health risks. These compounds, or gunshot residues (GSRs), must be removed from the firearm to assure its proper function and for the safety of the user. Cleaning requires the use of gun cleaning solvents (GCSs) and manufacturers recommend appropriate protective gloves be worn while using GCSs. However, no research has previously been conducted to investigate the permeation of these solvents through disposable nitrile gloves. GCSs are generally complex mixtures that contain...

Estimating Indoor Transmission Risks of SARS-CoV-2

About the Webinar:

As schools and businesses reopen around the U.S., quantitative infection risk assessment can be used in the decision-making process. This presentation will explore two case studies where the Wells-Riley model was used to calculate SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk estimates. Based on previously collected data, risk estimates were calculated for nail salons and public schools located in New York City under different exposure scenarios. Learners will review the data necessary to conduct a quantitative infection risk assessment using the Wells-Riley model as...

Elevator Ventilation and SARS-CoV-2 Particulate Matter Removal

About the Webinar:

Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in crowded, close-contact, and poorly ventilated indoor spaces is of increased concern with the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant. As more people return to the workplace, layered control measures must continue to be taken to mitigate the spread of the virus. Ventilation and particulate matter (PM) removal within elevators is not well understood. Employees, particularly those with disabilities, may not be able to return to work without the use of elevators, especially in densely populated cities with buildings...

Chemical Exposures and Reproductive Health of Nail Technicians

About the Webinar:

Nail technicians represent an under-studied occupation in terms of health and safety. Current research in this area will be presented, including chemical exposure measurements, reproductive health surveys, and future goals for community engagement.

Respiratory Exposures and Outcomes Among Cannabis Workers

About the Webinar:

Commercial cultivation and processing of cannabis is a new and rapidly growing industry in many US states. Workers in this industry are exposed to a variety of occupational health hazards, however, the nature and intensity of many of these exposures has not been previously characterized. In this webinar, Dr. Simpson will report concentrations of PM and VOCs measured in two indoor cannabis cultivation facilities, and measurements of work-related respiratory symptoms, lung function, and cannabis allergy in workers.

Indoor Air Quality in Net-Zero Energy Schools

About the Webinar:

An indoor air quality study conducted on a ‘net-zero energy’ school found average indoor temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide levels in several areas were not within IAQ guidelines. Three rooms on the school’s grounds also had radon levels exceeding the action level. This webinar will discuss testing equipment, methodology, and mitigation recommendations.

Occupational Exposure and Ventilation Assessment in New York City Nail Salons

About the Webinar:

Nail salons are an important business and employment sector for recent immigrants offering popular services to a diverse range of customers across the United States. However, due to the nature of nail products and services, salon air can be burdened with a mix of low levels of hazardous airborne contaminants. Surveys of nail technicians have commonly found increased work-related symptoms, such as headaches and respiratory irritation, that are consistent with indoor air quality problems. In an effort to improve indoor air quality in nail salons, the...

IH Pilot Studies: Current Research in Food Truck Exposure and Customized PPE

About the Webinar:

During this webinar, Dr. Oh will present a couple of recent IH pilot studies performed by her IH research group. Cooking emissions can contain harmful contaminants and food truck industry has rapidly expanded in the U. S. in the past years. In the first pilot study, the work environment of this emerging occupation was investigated by evaluating the levels of aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and PM2.5 in local food trucks as well as ventilation hood performance. As far as the second study, every year millions of workers in the US have reported eye...

Exposures to Viruses Among Healthcare Workers

About the Webinar:

This presentation will discuss current research findings about the exposures of healthcare workers to viruses during patient care, with a focus on viruses causing respiratory disease. Learners will also identify implications for infection risk and appropriate personal protective equipment for healthcare settings.