The 2019 Amercian Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exhibition is just around the corner. This year’s conference is May 20 through 22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. C&IH will be presenting on numerous relevant topics described below. We hope to see you there!
PDC 411: Risk Assessment for IHs – Organics, Metals, Nanoparticles
Risk assessment is an essential IH tool to establish internal occupational exposure limits, predict health outcomes of exposures, and deal with new hazardous compounds. OEHS specialists should be aware of the most up-to-date risk assessment techniques. Participants will learn how to obtain and interpret risk metrics and methods to develop internal standards. Risk taking behavior characteristics of the audience will be tested and analyzed (a technique that can be useful for risk assessment in workplaces). The class will be based on case studies involving numerous hazardous agents including, but not limited to, glyphosate, beryllium, cadmium, and nanoparticles.
Sunday, May 19, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Professional Development Course
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room 101D
Lead Instructor
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Instructors
Dan Hall, CIH, PE (C&IH)
Rob Strode, MS, CIH, FAIHA (C&IH)
Course information on AIHce website
A8: Asbestos and Nanoparticles – Discoveries, Experience, Lessons
During evolution, all living organisms have been exposed to a variety of natural nanoparticles, from viruses and products of biological decay, to various fibrillar particulates and minerals produced by the weathering of rocks and volcanic eruptions. It is well known that exposure to asbestos fibers causes malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and noncarcinogenic maladies. The disease causing potential of asbestos exposures is governed by several factors, including duration and frequency of exposures, individual susceptibility, bio-persistence, as well as the type, shape and surface properties of the fibers. Today, the explosive technological revolution in the field of material science and nanotechnology has yielded an unprecedented variety of engineered nanomaterials (EN) including those of fibrous morphology akin to asbestos. Such resemblance rises a major public concern regarding human health and safety. This talk will discuss how nanocellulose (NC) and Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in doses relevant to potential occupational exposures, may exert toxic effects in different types of human cells, lungs of exposed animals and human subjects. The mechanisms of toxicity will be addressed in the context of risk assessment and regulatory measures. Important lessons from the asbestos studies that can be applied to the toxicology of nanoparticles will be reviewed and discussed.
Monday, May 20, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Education Session
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room 101A
Moderator
James Rasmuson, PhD, CIH, DABT, FAIHA (C&IH)
Presenters
Anna Shvedova, PhD, DSc, Fellow ATS (NIOSH)
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Course information on AIHce website
B7: Yucca Mountain Project – Protecting the Health of Workers at the Nuclear Waste Site
Yucca Mountain Project is one of the new initiatives currently considered by the U.S. Congress. The initiative would restart waste deposition at this famous site in Nevada, increasing nuclear waste amount by 63 percent and heavy metals amount by 60%. However, several scientists voiced their concerns about this project. In particular, erionite, one of the most hazardous fibrous carcinogens, was found in the volcanic tuff materials, present in Yucca Mountain. Also, complex mixtures of potential groundwater and soil contaminants are not explored in the environmental impact statements for the project. Additional attention is required for the possible risks associated with the transportation of nuclear wastes. The audience will have a unique chance to be exposed to the different opinions about this important project. The discussion will cover: aspects of the regulations of emerging toxicants and cumulative risk assessment, the need of further studies and monitoring at the site, as well as additional control measures.
Monday May 20, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Education Session
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room 101D
Moderator
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Presenters
Jacob Paz, PhD (Dr. Jacob Paz and Marty Paz Environment, Inc.)
William Culbreth Jr., PhD (UNLV)
Course information on AIHce website
C8: Glyphosate and Cancer – Are We in the Midst of a Regulatory Crisis?
Glyphosate is one of the most popular broad-spectrum herbicide in the world, part of the formulation with trade name Roundup. Is it possible that this product could be related to increased risk of nonHodgkin lymphoma in exposed workers? International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate should be classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). In 1991, the U.S. EPA changed the classification of glyphosate from possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group C) to “evidence of non-carcinogenicity to humans” (group E). In 2017, the agency confirmed that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. There are no occupational exposure limits set for glyphosate by OSHA or ACGIH. How should industrial hygienists treat chemicals with such controversial hazard characterization? What internal standards could be recommended to monitor and control exposure? How should we interpret the court decisions about glyphosate and other substances? The session will attempt to summarize available toxicological information about glyphosate, involving the participants into a discussion about the weight of evidence concept, interpreted from scientific and regulatory points of view. Session will demonstrate that risk assessment is the only viable tool for the industrial hygienists to navigate among various S&H criteria for complex and emerging toxicants.
Monday, May 20, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Education Session
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room 200B
Moderator
Kimberly Carlson (BSI EHS Services and Solutions)
Presenter
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Course information on AIHce website
K6: The Global Standard of Care – How Consensus Standards Help Industrial Hygienists
The Global Standard of Care in the field of occupational health and safety remains one of the important goals for the international IH community. Unification and harmonization of the standards is not only a way to improve health of workers internationally, but also to effectively promote fair trade. It is clear that consensus standards, and not governmental regulations, can be the building blocks of the harmonized international standards system. With this hefty mission, consensus standards also serve industrial hygienists, providing them with practical guidance. Do IHs always know how to use consensus standards? Is special training needed to develop necessary skills for industrial hygienists? Should IHs be more active participating in the standard developing bodies? During the session, the members of AIHA Standards Advisory Panel will update the audience on the following consensus standards: ASHRAE documents, ANSI/AARST requirements for radon, and ISO 45001 specification on occupational health and safety management systems. The information will be used to illustrate the idea of consensus standards helping occupational health professionals, day by day.
Wednesday May 22, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Education Session
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room L100B
Moderator
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Presenters
Thomas Slavin, CIH, CSHM, CSP, CPEA, FAIHA, FASTM (Cardno ChemRisk)
Jim Lewis, CIH, CSP, CHMM (Maryland Dept of the Environment)
John Martinelli, DOSH CAC, CDPH I/A (Forensic Analytical Consulting Services)
Course information on AIHce website
M4: How Far Is Far? Industrial Hygiene Services at Remote Locations
Remote locations of industrial objects and local communities are often a concern for occupational and environmental health professionals. This problem is typical for oil and gas industry, but also for mining operations, construction sites, and many other sectors. Remote healthcare is getting traction in different regions of the world, through utilization of telemedicine, quick evacuation techniques, and other approaches. Industrial hygienists are facing necessities to develop effective IH models, including comprehensive sensors, online auditing, and risk assessment methodology for remote industrial objects and communities. International experience in promoting remote industrial hygiene services, in comparison to current remote healthcare achievements will be explored. Remote industrial hygiene solutions can be efficient and cost effective. Case studies from industrial leaders, like Shell Oil, will be provided. This session will be presented in collaboration with a company providing healthcare and occupational health solutions for remote localities in Eastern Europe.
Wednesday, May 22, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Education Session
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room L100F
Moderator
Kimberly Carlson (BSI EHS Services and Solutions)
Presenters
Andrey Korchevskiy, PhD, DABT, CIH (C&IH)
Daria Antipova, MBChB, MSc (NHS)
Course information on AIHce website
PDC 902: Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Health Care – Part 1 – NEW!
Disinfection is an important aspect of infection prevention in the healthcare environment. Reducing the prevalence of healthcare-acquired infections requires the selection of the right surface disinfectant. This first part of a two-part PDC will provide a comprehensive look at how surface disinfectants work, how they are regulated, the most commonly used products, potential exposures, alternatives, and new technologies in disinfection. The session will explore the IH issues: what organism(s) are targeted by the disinfectants and surface compatibilities of the products. This PDC will follow the AIHA publication, “Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare.”
Thursday, May 23, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Professional Development Course
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room M100C
CM Credit Hours: 3.5
Lead Instructor
Roberta Smith, RN, CIC, CIH (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Instructor
John Martinelli, DOSH CAC, CDPH I/A (Forensic Analytical Consulting Services)
Rob Strode, MS, CIH, FAIHA (C&IH)
Kathy Thompson, CIH, MPH, MS (3M)
Course information on AIHce website
PDC 1002: Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Health Care – Part 2 – NEW!
This second part of a two-part PDC will take a deeper look at the modes of action, product formulations (bleach, peracetic acid), emerging technologies, quality assurance methods, and worker and patient safety and exposure concerns. The session will explore the IH issues of exposure sampling, potential product incompatibilities, mitigating employee exposures, and how different chemicals work against healthcare significant organisms.
Thursday, May 23, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Professional Development Course
Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
Room M100C
CM Credit Hours: 3.5
Lead Instructor
Roberta Smith, RN, CIC, CIH (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
Instructor
John Martinelli, DOSH CAC, CDPH I/A (Forensic Analytical Consulting Services)
Rob Strode, MS, CIH, FAIHA (C&IH)
Kathy Thompson, CIH, MPH, MS (3M)
Course information on AIHce website