SUMMARY OF 21-23 JANUARY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Yuma Pacific SouthWest Section, AIHA

(Highlights provided by Program Chairman Howard Kusnetz)

The business meeting was held on Wednesday, 21 January.  Minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved.  The Treasurer’s financial report was accepted.  The following were elected to the Board: Bob Wheeler, President-Elect and 2010 Program Chairman; Carolyn Phillips and Henry Muranko were elected Directors.  Acknowledgment and thanks were given to Dr. Peter Bellin, departing Board member, and Hamid Arabzadeh, departing Past President for their services to the Section.

President Chris Laszcz-Davis opened the technical meeting on Thursday, 22 January 2009.  After welcoming attendees and speakers she introduced president-Elect and Program Chairman, Howard Kusnetz.  The theme this year was Industrial Hygiene - Broader Dimensions, Broader Directions.

Thursday 22 January

Implications for Industrial Hygiene in the New Administration

‚          Aaron Trippler, Director AIHA Governmental Affairs noted that the last Congress had very little action on occupational health and safety.  Labor’s highest priority is in the “card check” program, which will do away with secret elections for union membership.  He did see the possibility of a “Protect American Worker Act” which would expand OSHA, increase criminal penalties, advance whistle blower protection, and hold contractors responsible for sub-contractors.  He did not foresee any action on ergonomics, combustible dust, or diacetyl.

Trippler noted that the AIHA would request a GAO study of NIOSH - with particular emphasis as to whether it should be a part of CDC.  He also noted that states are now taking the lead in OS&H matters.  He stated that the unions want to scrap the VPP program and want more regulations and more stringent enforcement.  Trippler also pointed out that Cass Sunstein, an advocate of strict cost-benefit analysis is slated to be the director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, an office within the White House Office of Management and Budget.  All regulations have to go through OIRA .

‚          Frank Hearl, PE, NIOSH Chief of Staff descried the leadership vacuum in the agency.  Both the directors of NIOSH and CDC, its parent, have left and no candidate has as yet surfaced.  The transition team has asked for more cost-benefit analysis.  He spoke about the Program Analysis Rating Tool (PART) process.  The NIOSH budget will stay essentially flat with about 40% going for extra-mural activities.  There is a possibility that there will be funds to consolidate NIOSH Cincinnati activities into a new, single location.

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Hearl noted that the National Occupational Research Agenda would stay.  He advised that details may be found on the Institute’s web site, www.cdc.gov/niosh. Other on line NIOSH information is available.  Flicker has some 350 pictures; YouTube (search on NIOSH) has many videos.

‚          Chuck Adkins, OSHA Regional Administrator in Kansas City spoke next.  As did the previous speakers, he emphasized that the remarks were his, and not the official position of the agency he represented.  He noted that the new USDL Secretary, Hilda Solis, is very strong on labor and on health and safety.  Her concern is with smaller businesses.          Adkins, as did Trippler speculated on possible OSHA heads, but both emphasized that nothing would occur until after the DoL Secretary was sworn in.

Adkins also speculated that there would be greater emphasis on enforcement and standards; less emphasis on compliance assistance and the VPP program; improved targeting, e.g., lead; and a greater whistle blower protection program.

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Friday, 23 January 2009

Reflections on the Future Practice of Occupational Hygiene

Dennis Paustenbach, PhD CIH (1992) ChemRisk Inc.  San Francisco, Ca

Dennis was concerned with the “apoptosis” of industrial hygiene.  He pointed out that a great number of occupations were moved offshore.  He noted also that small particles have become a major initiative and that biological monitoring and biomarkers have become as important as air sampling.

Paustenbach’s conclusion was that there are four actions which would dramatically change our field:

1.         Develop new OELs... Most are based on old risk criteria; many based on the toxicity database are now considered incomplete; much lower OELs would make for a major change in industrial hygiene.

2.         Improve Sampling Techniques... To meet “modern era” OELs better techniques will be needed; passive and/or microtechniques will be expected (and available); 8-24 hour sampling will be commonplace.

3.         Guidelines for Biomonitoring... New OELs will dictate a “sea change”; if hygienists and toxicologists don’t lead on interpretation, the public will dictate the response to these new data; leadership will be critical - perhaps through an international panel.

4.         Identify Uniform Risk Criteria...  On the global stage, harmonized risk criteria would be helpful; this is not likely until developing countries want to participate; trade agreements could force the issue.

Sustainability

Prepared by Neil Hawkins, PhD CIH (1994), VP Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI

Presented in his absence by Susan Ripple, MSc, CIH, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI

The Hawkins - Ripple paper was titled A Catalyst for Change - Dow’s Approach to Sustainability

Sustainability differs somewhat from classic industrial hygiene in that sustainability is in making every decision with the future in mind.  Understanding the needs of the communities where Dow has a major presence, and responding in a constructive and appropriate way is part of that company’s role as a member of the community and one to which they are deeply committed.  Dow is an engaged corporate citizen globally and locally providing EH&S (industrial hygiene) expertise to those communities.

Examples of sustainable initiatives including the development of an energy absorbing foam to protect drivers; photovoltaics integrated directly into building materials; Omega-9 oils to replace transfat and saturated oil content in cooking; using methane landfill gas; and polyolefin dispersions for carpet applications.  This latter endeavor provides for thermoplastic products which have low odor and enhanced recyclability.

Developing and Broadening Industrial Hygiene Leadership

Perry Logan CIH (2006) Manager, Corporate IH, 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN

Logan saw two keys for a bright future for industrial hygiene: The continuous development of leaders and the strengthening of industrial hygiene core skills.  Leadership skills must be continuously refined and expanded.  Great leaders also know when to follow.  He noted that exposure assessment is at the root of all exposure risk management.

Perry than proceeded to demonstrate the use of audience response tools in exposure assessment as found in current research at the University of Minnesota.  He pointed out that a heuristic approach (heuristics: relating to

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exploratory problem-solving techniques that utilize self-educating techniques, as the evaluation of feedback, to improve performance) is of great value in such assessments.  He showed how the industrial hygiene might use any or all of three different types of heuristics to arrive at a final judgment in a risk exposure situation.  These are: availability, representativeness, and anchoring and adjustment heuristics.  A key point he made is that “Expert” does not always equal “Accurate”.  He concluded with a series of points in correcting for bias and for developing industrial hygienists to take conscious actions to develop their leadership skills.

CIH Communications with CPAs and MDs

Kyle Dotson, CIH, (1996) Dotson Group, San Jose, CA

Dotson noted the need for common goals among CIHs, CPAs, and MDs.  He posited that language barriers can be overcome if people want to work together.  However, even with that common desire, there will be differences in focus.  For example, CIHs concentrate on the r.e.c. of
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exposure, not disease.  MDs,  on the other hand focus on the r.e.c. disease, rather than exposure.  CPAs focus on the r.e.c. of the organization’s income, not on losses by others.  Kyle pointed out that there could be a common “bucket” of concern for all three groups  – health care costs.  Commonalities also include business ethics, saving money, greater productivity, and risk management.  He presented two case studies to illustrate his theme.  He summarized by suggesting the common language to express the industrial hygienists’ shared vision with CPAs and MDs .

After NAFTA  – Industrial Hygiene From the Other Side of the Border

Jorge Rodriguez CIH (2002) Laboratorio Microanalitico de Control, Mexico City, Mexico

Rodriguez made the observation that in the United States the AFL-CIO had opposed NAFTA.  He was also aware that as part of the pre-election rhetoric in the U. S., there were indications that NAFTA might be amended, perhaps unilaterally.  As a positive point, Jorge noted that after NAFTA safety and health in the workplace has also been improved in  Mexico.  Further, industrial hygiene practice has been improved in Mexico after NAFTA.  He described the legal systems in the two countries: Common law in the US, Romano-canonical procedure in Mexico.  Mexican law, he stated was akin to the Louisiana system of law.

Jorge noted that since 1984, Mexico has adopted permissible exposure limits for chemical substances based on the 1983-1984 ACGIH TLVs.  The permissible exposure limits were updated in 1989 and 1999.  Currently PELs are based on the 1998 ACGIH TLVs.  Other Mexican standards include, Heat and Cold Stress, Whole Body Vibration, Hand-arm Vibration, and Lighting Levels.  Enforcement is shared among three different agencies.  As important, from Rodriguez’ point of view, laboratory accreditation is under arrangement with International  Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).  There is also a Mexican industrial hygiene certification program.  The Mexican Association of Industrial Hygienists (AMHI) has 130 members.

Integrating Industrial Hygiene into Product Design and Development

Nicole McCullough, PhD, CIH (2008) Regulatory Affairs Manager, 3M Company, St. Paul, MN

Because of travel restrictions, Dr. McCullough’s presentation was made by phone.  She first noted that in the 3M Company, 130 employees are AIHA members. (Compare with AMHI, above.)  She outlined the process from basic research to product launch.  Industrial hygiene input is at all phases of the process.  3M’s industrial hygiene activities fall into three categories, namely, Corporate, Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division (OHESD) and external industrial hygienists. An important function is customer input and feedback.

Regulatory support activities are also an important part.  They include: understanding product performance  standards globally; participation on IH-related standards  committees; and participation in IH-related rulemaking.  Nikki also spoke of 3M’s sustainability program.  It was interesting to compare and contrast it with that of Dow.  The reader is encouraged to review carefully both full presentations which can be found on the Yuma Pacific SouthWest web site. Finally, Nikki gave examples for several of her company’s products.

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Optimal Traits in the Boardroom and the Courtroom

Chris Laszcz-Davis, CIH (1989) Environmental Quality Organization, Lafayette, CA

YPSW President Laszcz-Davis drew upon her extensive corporate and consulting experience to show that effectiveness is a function of  perceived alignment  between services offered  and services requested.  Success emerges when  alignment occurs.  She provided two complex matrices depicting desired traits as seen by organizational leaders, trial attorneys and EH&S perceptions.  The full matrices are also available on the web site.

The technical sessions on Friday were unique, in that every invited speaker was a past Kusnetz Award winner.  One of the criteria of the award is “shows promise of leadership in the field of industrial hygiene.”   There was no doubt that the presenters have easily met that criterion.  The dates following each speaker’s name represent the year in which he or she won the Award.

Report Outs

The Friday session ended with reports by:

‚          Don Hart  –  AIHA

‚          Larry Gibbs  – ACGIH

‚          Jas Singh  – Academy of IH

‚          Rick Fulwiler  – AIH Foundation

‚          John Henshaw  – ABIH

The Clayton Award was presented to Emil Christofano.  Emil accepted the award with a very moving and emotional “thank you” presentation.

The gavel was passed, and the very successful Laszcz-Davis term came to an end.  Chris will remain on the Board dispensing wisdom and sarcasm for the next year.

The “Mystery Speaker” at the Friday night banquet cracked wise for a while before taking the audience over a 60-year history of industrial hygiene.

Footnote:

YPSW members present declared the meeting a resounding success - a superb slate of speakers, robust discussions and great group dynamics. The meeting certainly highlighted the fact that the profession’s EH&S horizons continue to expand as technology and a “flat economy” propel us into the 21st century.

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