September 2003

  Quarterly Newsletter

Web Edition

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Executive Committee (2003-04):

President:
Richard Deluca, CIH
EHS Connect
E-mail: delucar@eorm.com

President Elect:
Drew Peake, PE, DEE, CIH, CSP
E-mail: dpeake@peakeeng.com

Secretary:
Bryce Bennett, MS
Georgia Tech Research Institute
E-mail:
bryce.bennett@gtri.gatech.edu

Treasurer:
Ryan Langton
Georgia Tech Research Institute
E-mail:
ryan.langton@gtri.gatech.edu

Director - 1st Term:
Chris DePasquale, MPH, CIH
E-mail:
cdepasquale@compassenv.com 

Director - 2nd Term:
Larry Newton, CIH, CSP
Safety & Health Services, Inc..
E-mail: lrnewton@prodigy.net

Newsletter Editor:
Sylvia Callender-Carter, MPH
Dekalb County Government, Risk Management Div.
E-mail:
scallend@co.dekalb.ga.us

Past President:
Leah Oglesby, MSPH
Georgia Pacific
E-mail: lsoglesb@gapac.com

Sponsors

Gold Level

Clayton Group Services.
Dawson Associates (email only)
Mine Safety Appliances
Qualisys
SKC, Inc.

Silver Level

Ashtead Technologies
ATC Associates
Compass Environmental
Environmental Specialties Products
Materials Analytical Services
Parsons

Bronze Level

Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. (email only)
ESH Connect
Wellbeings Occupational Healthcare

Annual

CIH Services Inc. (email only)
Galson Labs
HAZMAT Health & Hygiene Consultants (email only)
Pine Environmental Services
Peake Engineering, Inc.

President's Message

Rich DeLuca, CIH

What do IH'ers Do?

Lots of things are happening in the World of Occupational Health. As usual, the profession of Industrial Hygiene is striving for recognition as an accepted vocation in our modern society. Let's face it; we all know the responsibilities of an Accountant, a Human Resource Specialist, a Recruiter or a Purchasing Agent. Even the terms Safety or Environmental Professional are somewhat self-explanatory.

But what does an IH do? Well because we do so many things, with competencies established in multiple areas, it is understandable how the public can get confused. For example, even though I am a CIH, I do not routinely do or claim competency in radiation, non-chemical Indoor Air Quality, or performing laboratory analyses. Yet there are other talented and trained professionals that do have competency in these very areas.

Maybe that is why when the Atlanta Journal Constitution had a two-day, front page, investigative article on mold, the term “industrial hygiene” was used only once. No reference was made to the National American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). The helpful topics links on the AJC webpage at:

www.ajc.com/business/content/business/0703/20airtips.html

did not list any links to the AIHA web site that provides similar information.

So, if indoor air quality is suppose to be an area of IH expertise for those select individuals within the profession that have decided to make this an area of competency - the public unfortunately was not made aware of this to any great extent via the AJC article. What baffles me more is how an investigative reporter can overlook a profession that has demonstrated competency in the area. Apparently we do not show up on search engines when one researches this topic.

As an FYI, the local section did respond to the article; however, the AJC has elected not to publish the article or update their web links. And I recognize that it is their prerogative to decide what gets published, and what does not. I did request the courtesy of a response (two times) as to the reason why our information was not published so that I could communicate directly to you in a comprehensive fashion. We have not received a response as of August 21, 2003.

Ramblings and musings:

• Great turn out for the summer meeting
• 49 paid attendees
• 18 people paid their dues
• Many updated their database information

• Pre registration made you eligible for a $50 Home Depot gift certificate
  • Curious as to who won--- find the answer in other areas of the newsletter
  • Since it was so popular---we are going to offer a pre registration door prize again, and coincidently...
• The next meeting is at HOME DEPOT (dare we not offer another $50 gift certificate!!!).......October 3,2003.... More info elsewhere in the newsletter.
• Finally, some IH's have interests beyond IH. One of our members (Margaret Buckalew, Corporate IH - Delta) has ventured out and started her own barbecue restaurant with her husband. So if you ever want a BBQ sandwich, while listening to the blues, with the ability to reading this newsletter or the AIHA Synergist in public (without getting ridiculed), plan to visit:
  

Maddy's BBQ and Blues
1479 Scott Boulevard
Decatur, GA 30030 USA

Phone: 404-377-0301
E-mail: maddysbbq@attbi.com
Web Site: www.maddysbbq.com
It is certain that anything prepared will be served in an industrially hygienic manner.

So getting back to the question of what does an IH do? Apparently many things...even Barbeque.........

SEE YOU OCTOBER 3 RD AT HOME DEPOT!!!

October 3^rd Meeting - Something for everyone!

Our October meeting is bound to have information that will be of interest to our Local Section. Starting off with info regarding office ergonomics, Chris Day of Humanscale will advise of the latest technology advances for the office. Next, we will gain some insight regarding our host company's EHS efforts. With over 1600 stores, 35,000 materials and approximately 315,000 associates, we will gain some insight into the challenges and successes that have been achieved at Home Depot.

Next, we will have a real life case study presented by Brenda Pool and Peter Farina of Georgia State—“When Homeland Security meets the CIH'ers”. It was the night after Christmas Holiday shutdown, when a Building Services (custodial) employee of Georgia State University (GSU) was picked up by EMS with injuries to both hands. The employee's injuries were so severe that bone was evident. The injuries appeared to be severe burns. However, the employee did NOT have any pain. The injured employee had to have 8 digits, total, amputated from both hands. When Grady questioned the employee about the source of his injuries, the employee replied that he worked at GSU, came in contact with something while working in a lab, went home after work and went to sleep and woke up with the severe condition. Be certain to attend to find out how many state and federal agencies (including the FBI) got to participate in this investigation.

After lunch, Rich DeLuca will share some case studies regarding technology applications to enhance training with a presentation on the pros and cons of web-based training. Gene Clennon of Damage Control Institute will follow him. Ever wonder how the bigger remediation jobs get done? Want to hear how we as IH'ers drive these guys nuts with our inconsistent recommendations (biocides vs. no biocides; encapsulation vs. none)??

Gene will be followed Dr. Mark Rigler who will share the IH/Laboratory perspective regarding mold remediation. It seems like we are going to get different points of view.... and if so.......we will definitely allow time for some IH type “Hannity vs. Colmes” dialogue

We will wrap up the day with a report from Drew Peake regarding AIHA activities on various legislation activities in Washington and some insight as to what local section actions we may take if Mold Legislation is once again introduced at the state level. After Drew, Rich DeLuca will provide an update on the National Conference Planning and some preliminary details regarding our next meeting----which will be our annual Vendor's Day ---January 30^th 2004 at Cobb Galleria.

Please plan on coming to the fall meeting; and bring a friend! Also—it helps immensely with planning if you pre register...so please pre register ... and you will be eligible for a $50 Home Depot Gift Certificate. Bring a guest and BOTH of you will get $10 off the cost of attending the meeting.

Mark Your Calendars

The Fall Golf Classic sponsored by the Georgia Chapter s of the AIHA, ASSE & EIA will take place at the Trophy Club of Atlanta. The deadline for entry will be September 26, 2003. Please contact Tod Dawson at TodDawson@mindspring.com.

Special Offers for our October 3rd meeting

If you bring a guest, both the guest and the member each get $10 off the cost of attending the meeting.

If you pre-register, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Home Depot Gift Certificate.

The American Board of Industrial hygiene has awarded certification maintenance (CM) points for the following Georgia AIHA Local Section (GLS) meetings:

Activity:
Summer Meeting 2003
Date: 7/25/2003
Awarded: 0.5 IH CM
point # 03-2003

Activity:
ASSE/AIHA PDC
Date: 3/27-28/2003
Awarded: 1. 5 Safety CM points # 03-714

Activity:
Winter Meeting 2003
Date: 1/27/2003
Awarded: 1 IH CM point
# 03-435

Activity:
Fall Meeting 2002
Date: 10/21/2002
Awarded: 1 IH CM point
# 02-3922

Activity:
Summer Seminar 2002
Date: 7/19/2002
Awarded: 0.5 CM point
# 02-2287

To find approval numbers for other past meetings or to link to pdf copies of ABIH approval letters, please visit the GLS Web site's Calendar page

Georgia Local Section Dues for 2003
remains at $15.

Treasurer
Ryan Langton,
Mirant Corporation,
1155 Perimeter Center West,
Atlanta, GA 30338.

Would you like to attend our next meeting for only $15?  If you're not a member but would like to join, or if you would like to come as a GLS member's guest, please contact your favorite Georgia Local Section member for a guest coupon.

Please email interesting info, websites and articles for the newsletter to:
scallend@co.dekalb.ga.us
Your input is invaluable.

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