Certified Industrial Hygienists Offer Assistance Following Historic Floods in the Carolinas

Parts of South Carolina have been inundated with heavy rain and floodwaters as a low pressure system and moisture from Hurricane Joaquin have delivered up to two feet of rain in some areas.  Countless homes, institutions and businesses have suffered severe damage as roofs succumbed to the deluge while other structures have been completely flooded.
 
As the waters begin to recede this week, some area residents will begin the process of rebuilding their homes, businesses and communities.  Many have been advised to be aware of a number of potential health and safety hazards that may be present in damaged structures.  These issues range from sewage, bacteria and mold in water damaged buildings to the presence of lead and asbestos hazards in some older buildings.  Altered work environments and industrial processes in damaged facilities could also lead to potential hazards not recognized before the flooding took place.
 
Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) are able to help with these issues and many more because of their comprehensive knowledge base of many of the issues that people in the area now face. Industrial hygiene professionals who have earned the CIH® designation are uniquely qualified to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control health hazards, both seen and unseen.  A number of CIHs already live and work in the vicinity of the impacted area or are able to travel to the region to help residents, workers and communities safely rebuild and get back to business. 
 
“Following a flood or almost any type of natural disaster, CIHs can bring their special expertise to the general public, businesses, institutions and government agencies,” said Nicole Greeson, CIH® and Chair of ABIH®.  “These professionals offer crucial support in managing the risks associated with rebuilding and their knowledge of air sampling, chemical and biohazards, community exposure, health-risk analysis and work environments contribute to the critical skills needed to combat an event like this.  Companies and people who need to contact a CIH® can easily “Find a CIH” near them using a roster search on the ABIH® website.”
 
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene®, Certified Industrial Hygienist® credential or to locate a CIH® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org, email abih@ABIH.org or call (517) 321-2638.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ®
Since 1960, ABIH®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest, premier organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH® is responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance and ethics enforcement.  Currently, more than 6800 people are certified to use the CIH® designation.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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