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What IS Industrial Hygiene, Exactly?? Industrial Hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling exposures that may cause health problems. Industrial Hygiene requires knowledge of chemistry, biology, toxicology, epidemiology, ventilation engineering, physics, sampling techniques, and health & safety regulations. Typical exposures the Industrial Hygienist is trained to consider are chemicals (vapors, fumes, dusts), biological agents (bacteria, fungi, allergens), asbestos, lead, ergonomic stresses, light, radiation, noise, heat & cold stress, and confined spaces. Industrial hygienists look at exposures of individual people working or living in a specific location. They do not address community exposures to chemicals, noise, contaminated soil & water, etc. |
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The High Country’s Solution to Environmental Health & Safety |
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Blue Ridge Industrial Hygiene, Inc. |
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Mold contamination in water heater closet of a client’s property. |
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Why Choose Blue Ridge Industrial Hygiene? |
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· Quality— Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) with 20 years experience. · Confidentiality — Only you receive results. · Commitment — Written code of ethics. · Convenience — Nights & weekends same price. What kind of professional do you need? Do you want a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE), or an NC Licensed Home Inspector? Here are the main differences:
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Board-Certified Industrial Hygienist Member AIHA, ABIH, ACGIH, and ACS Division of Health & Safety |
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The High Country’s Solution to Environmental Health & Safety |
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Requirement |
CIH |
CIE |
NC Home Inspector |
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MINIMUM EDUCATION: |
Bachelor of Science |
High School or GED |
High School Diploma |
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ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIRED BEF0RE CERTIFICATION EXAM: |
240 hours. |
40 hours (one 5-day course). |
None. |
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CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: |
64 hours per year. |
10 hours per year. |
12 hours per year.
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MINIMUM YRS EXPERIENCE: |
5 years, or 4 years plus Masters Degree (technician-level experience does not apply towards experience). |
5 years, or 3 years plus Associate Degree from Community or Technical College. |
1 year plus 100 home inspections completed for pay, or licensed as General Contractor, Architect, or Engineer. |
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DESCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATION EXAM REQUIRED: |
8-hour, closed-book exam. (not even pencils can be brought in). No study guide provided. (avg pass rate 35%) |
4-hour, open-book exam using the course materials provided. (avg pass rate 75% ) |
4 hours, closed-book exam. Study guide provided by state licensing board. (avg pass rate 40 to 70%) |
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SUPERVISION & REFERENCES REQUIRED: |
2 detailed Professional & Character references, from CIH who has supervised the person’s work. |
None. |
1 year supervised by NC Licensed Home Inspector, plus 3 persons sign form stating that inspector is “of good character.” |
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AREA(S) OF EXPERTISE: |
Anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling human exposure to chemicals, biohazards (including mold & bacteria), & physical stressors (noise, ergonomics, heat). |
Sampling for mold & household allergens. |
Checking integrity of building components. |
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COMMON PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: |
Chemist, Biologist, Nurse, Engineer, Environmental or Safety Scientist |
Home Inspector, Realtor, Lab technician. |
Builder, Realtor. |