Protecting the Health and Safety of Communities and Workers in the Wake of Devastating Wildfires
The American Board of Industrial Hygiene® (ABIH®) applauds the efforts of so many industrial hygiene and environmental professionals offering their help after the recent California wildfires.
Now that the most recent devastating wildfires have been controlled, residents have begun the long process of repairing or rebuilding their homes, businesses, schools, and communities.
The most destructive wildfire season in California’s history has taken place this year. Residents experienced the outbreak of the Camp and Woolsey fires last month, but these were only two of more than 7,500 wildfires to impact the state in 2018. Fire suppression costs have been over $1 billion and the damage caused by these fires has been estimated around $3 billion.
In addition to the high number of tragic deaths due to this year’s wildfires, thousands of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings have been destroyed. Many others have suffered damage due to smoke residues, odors, and other concerns.
Now that the most recent devastating wildfires have been controlled, residents have begun the long process of repairing or rebuilding their homes, businesses, schools, and communities. State officials, along with health and safety professionals, are reminding residents to be aware of a number of potential hazards that these wildfires may have left behind. These issues range from unstable structures, gas leaks, and electrical hazards, to exposure issues due to asbestos, lead, chemicals, smoke residues, and other hazards associated with wildfire destruction.
“Residents and workers tasked with cleanup and rebuilding efforts need to be aware of a wide range of exposure risks they may encounter,” said Jeffrey Miller, PhD, CIH® and Chair of ABIH®. “This is also true for employees of impacted businesses and institutions who could face altered work environments and industrial processes in damaged or moved facilities. Fortunately, on the frontlines working to protect workers and residents in wildfire damaged areas are numerous Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs). Industrial hygiene professionals who have earned the CIH® credential are uniquely qualified to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control health hazards, both seen and unseen in wildfire impacted industries, institutions, and communities. The professionalism and expertise of Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEP®) and Environmental Professionals In-Training (EPI), with their broad understanding of environmental issues, can also be instrumental when responding to these natural disasters.”
Institutions, companies, and individuals who wish to contact a CIH® can easily get in touch with those offering their services by using the public roster search on the ABIH® website. Simply click the Find a CIH Near You button on the home page.
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene®, the Certified Industrial Hygienist® credential, or to locate a CIH® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org or email abih@ABIH.org . For information about the Qualified Environmental Practitioner (QEP®) credential or Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation, visit www.IPEP.org or email ipep@IPEP.org . Please call (517) 321-2638 for questions about ABIH® or its credentials and designations.
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ®
Since 1960, ABIH®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance, and ethics enforcement. ABIH® also administers the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP®) credential for established environmental practitioners and the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation for early-career practitioners. Currently, more than 7,600 people around the world hold the CIH® credential, QEP® credential, or EPI designation.
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