Industrial Hygiene Publisher



Dahlstrom DL¹ ; Hoover MD² ; Noruzi M^{3, 4} ; Abdollahi M^{3, 4}
Source: Encyclopedia of Toxicology# Fourth Edition: Volume 1-9 Published:2023

Abstract

Industrial Hygiene (IH) is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and confirmation (ARECC) of protection from those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among citizens of the community. Occupational stressors and factors within the workplace are normally divided into exposure categories such as biological, chemical, physical, radiological, ergonomic, and psychosocial. Industrial hygiene focuses on implementing workplace safety and controlling occupational health risks by highly qualified and experienced professionals. Overexposure to industrial hazards can result in adverse health effects and disease. The industrial hygienist applies expertise to reduce hazards, exposures, and resulting risks to workers, the environment, and public health, while supporting workplace protocols and worker health and safety demands. Meeting such demands requires effective risk management by organizational leadership, industrial hygienists, occupational hygienists, and environmental safety and health specialists. Industrial hygiene practices include exposure hazard evaluation, monitoring, data assessment, and risk-based reduction strategies. Industrial hygiene frequently requires a multidisciplinary approach utilizing the exposure sciences of toxicology, chemistry, engineering, biology, ergonomics, epidemiology, human factors, medical surveillance, and occupational systems management. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.