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Overview of Industrial Hygiene History

This document provides an introduction to the field of industrial hygiene. It defines industrial hygiene as relating to industry and the science of establishing and maintaining health, especially in occupational settings. The history of the field is traced back to ancient Greek and Roman physicians who described occupational diseases. However, the father of industrial medicine is considered to be Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian physician in the 17th century. The field grew with the work of Alice Hamilton in the late 19th/early 20th century and the establishment of workers' compensation laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act in the United States. Industrial hygienists work to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control environmental hazards in the workplace that can impact health. Their

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10 views16 pages

Overview of Industrial Hygiene History

This document provides an introduction to the field of industrial hygiene. It defines industrial hygiene as relating to industry and the science of establishing and maintaining health, especially in occupational settings. The history of the field is traced back to ancient Greek and Roman physicians who described occupational diseases. However, the father of industrial medicine is considered to be Bernardino Ramazzini, an Italian physician in the 17th century. The field grew with the work of Alice Hamilton in the late 19th/early 20th century and the establishment of workers' compensation laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act in the United States. Industrial hygienists work to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control environmental hazards in the workplace that can impact health. Their

Uploaded by

Fahad
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Introduction to

Industrial Hygiene
CENE 440/540
April 6, 2015

WHAT IS
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (IH)?

industrial \ in-ds-tr-l \ adj 1: of or relating to industry


2: characterized by highly developed industries <an ~ nation>
3: engaged in industry <the ~ classes> 4: derived from human
industry 5: used in industry --- industrially \ tr--l \
adv

hygiene \ hi - jn \ n [Gk. neut. pl. of hygieinos healthful, fr.


hygis healthy] 1: a science of the establishment and
maintenance of health 2: conditions or practices (as of
cleanliness) conducive to health hygienic \ h-j-en-ik \adj
hygienically \ i-k(-)l \adv hygienist \ h-jn-st \n

HISTORY OF IH

Hippocrates in ~ 400 BC
slave labor & lead (Pb) work
Pliny the Elder ~ 45 AD
Workers used bladder
respirators; asbestosis
appears in slave workers

HISTORY OF IH

Galen (Greek) in ~ 150 AD


described lead poisoning

Paracelsus: 1493-1541
1st toxicologist

HISTORY OF IH

Agricola: 1494 - 1555


De Re Metalica
Snow White & 7 Dwarfs

Percival Potts: 1714 - 1788


Chimney Sweeps Act of 1788

HISTORY OF IH

Bernadino Ramazzini (1633 - 1714)


Italian physician
The Diseases of Workmen, 1700

accurately described the many


occupational diseases that were
common during his time

Recognized as Father of
Industrial Medicine
Described silicosis, hearing loss,
and deafness and suggested
preventive measures to reduce
exposures

HISTORY OF IH

Alice Hamilton (1869 - 1970) mama


American physician (born in NYC)
1893 graduate of the U. Michigan Medical
School & 1st female professor hired by
Harvard Medical School (1919)
founded discipline of Industrial Medicine
worked tirelessly to convince
factory owners that improving
working conditions was a good
business practice

HISTORY OF IH
1900 - 1910: State Compensation Plans
1918 - 1st IH degree awarded
1920 - 42 State Workers Compensation
1970 - OSHAct

First Standards promulgated in 1971


Many new & revised standards since

WHATS AN IH?

Definition in 1971:
Industrial Hygiene is that science (or art)
devoted to the recognition, evaluation, and
control of those environmental factors or
stresses - chemical, physical, biological,
and ergonomic - that may cause sickness,
impaired health, or significant discomfort to
employees or residents of the community.

WHATS AN IH?

Definition in 1999:
Industrial Hygiene is the science and
practice devoted to the anticipation,
recognition, evaluation, and control of those
environmental factors or stresses arising in
or from the workplace that may cause
sickness, impaired health and well-being, or
significant discomfort among workers and
may also impact the general community.

I.H. FUNCTIONS

Anticipation
Expecting an exposure hazard to occur

Recognition
Knowing what the hazards might be

Evaluation
Measuring the amount of existing hazard

Control
Protecting the worker from the hazard

HAZARD
TYPE
_ PHYSICAL
__________

_ CHEMICAL
___________

_ _ _ Noise
_________

Gases/Vapors
____________

_ _ _ Insects
_________

_ Radiation
___________

____________
Solids/Pastes

_ _ _ Plants
_________

_ _ Thermal
__________

_ Particulates
___________

_ _ _Animals
_________

_ Ergonomics
___________

_ _ BIOLOGICAL
______________

WORKER PROTECTION

Source

Pathway

Receiver

HISTORY OF IH

Since 1980s, roles have expanded


Recent surveys by Occupational Safety &
Health magazine and AIHA indicate that
the IH role is now covering safety and
environmental issues.

QUESTIONS?

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