JOEH to End Momentous 2015 with Supplement on OELs A supplement to the December issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene will address current issues related to the science of setting occupational exposure limits (OELs). The supplement was co-edited by Lisa Brosseau of the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health and Jonathan Borak of the Yale University School of Medicine. Most of the articles are currently available on the JOEH website. To access the articles online, AIHA members must first log in to the AIHA Member Center and click on the link to the Journal. ​ The supplement marks the end of a ​momentous year for JOEH. In January, the Journal debuted a new cover design​, the firs​t design change since JOEH launched in 2004. The new cover combines the colors of AIHA and ACGIH, which jointly publish JOEH. In August, a commentary by Deborah Gold, MPH, CIH, on the health hazards facing performers in the adult film industry garnered significant media attention for JOEH. A press release about the article was widely distributed and ran in more than 100 print and online media outlets. Gold’s article, “An Industrial Hygienist Looks at Porn," is one of several recent JOEH papers that have addressed nontraditional OEHS topics. ​ “The JOEH and its predecessor journals were traditionally geared toward worker exposures to harmful agents,” said JOEH Editor in Chief Mark Nicas, PhD, CIH, in an e-mail. “Although the workplace remains our primary focus, the JOEH seeks to publish studies about adverse exposures involving consumers and about non-traditional topics. The principles of exposure science, a specialty of the occupational hygiene profession, clearly apply beyond the workplace. By broadening the JOEH focus, we hope to enhance our visibility among the general public and related technical professions.” In addition to its openness to nontraditional topics, the Journal has significantly shortened the time between receiving a submission and notifying authors whether the article will be published. According to metrics presented at a meeting of the JOEH Editorial Review Board in June, for technical manuscripts submitted between June 2014 and May 2015, the median “time to first decision” was 37 days. The Journal’s publisher, Taylor and Francis, also notes that articles are typically posted online within seven to ten days of acceptance. Readers interested in submitting papers to JOEH will find instructions on the Journal website. JOEH currently publishes traditional original articles on occupational health and safety topics. Where data may be limited but findings are relevant to the field, JOEH publishes peer-reviewed “case reports.” The Journal also publishes commentaries, including historical perspectives on specific hazards or the field in general. Authors interested in submitting commentaries should first contact Mark Nicas.
 
AIHA Submits Comments on OSHA PELs RFI​​ In October, AIHA filed comments in response to OSHA’s October 2014 Request for Information (RFI) on Chemical Management and Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). AIHA’s submission to OSHA includes a copy of the AIHA white paper “Permissible Exposure Limits” and comments compiled from AIHA Volunteer Groups. ​ The white paper recommends that OSHA develop a peer-reviewed guideline for the derivation of PELs and seek whatever resources or legislative changes are needed to allow the updating of all existing PELs to current science and to set such new PELs as are necessary to protect worker health. AIHA’s submission, including the full white paper and comments, is available as a PDF.
 
Apply for the AIHA Distinguished Lecturer Program AIHA invites new applications for its Distinguished Lecturer Program, which identifies experts within the association who are capable and willing to provide lectures in their area of expertise to the industrial hygiene community and to AIHA’s outreach partners. Applications are evaluated by the Fellows SIG Review Committee. Selected Distinguished Lecturers will be notified by May 2016, and an approved listing will be posted on the AIHA Fellows SIG Web page. Inclusion in the Distinguished Lecturers’ List is for one year and is renewable annually via approval by the Fellow SIG Review Committee. ​ If you are interested in being an AIHA Distinguished Lecturer, please apply today through the online application form. See the FAQ for additio​​nal information.
 
Students: AIHF Scholarship Application Available January 1 The American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) will start accepting scholarship applications on January 1, 2016, for the 2016–2017 academic year. Students are evaluated on academic record, extracurricular activities, future goals as an industrial hygienist, and potential for leadership in the industrial hygiene profession. Several AIHF scholarships have specific criteria, and schools or students who meet those criteria will be given first consideration. All application materials must be submitted via e-mail by Feb. 29, 2016. For more information on AIHF scholarships and eligibility requirements, please visit the AIHF website. There’s still time to give to AIHF and receive a tax deduction in 2015. Donating to AIHF will help ensure that deserving students preparing for careers in industrial hygiene will receive scholarships. Detailed information about making a donation or a pledge can be found online.​ AIHce On Demand “Pick 3” Package Available for Renewing Members AIHce On Demand, a collection of digitally captured sessions from AIHce, has been a popular resource since its launch in 2011. For 2016, AIHA’s previous “Must View” package has been updated to a more versatile “Pick 3” package. This update lets members customize the package to their professional needs by selecting any three sessions of their choice from a list of available On Demand sessions. Valued at $75, the AIHce On Demand “Pick 3” package is automatically included with membership when members renew for 2016 by Nov. 30. Renewing members will receive information on how to access the sessions via e-mail and will have access to the package throughout 2016. Members will also have the option to purchase and view additional sessions. Renewal invoices will be mailed this month to members who have not yet renewed. As part of AIHA’s green initiative, AIHA is encouraging all members to renew their membership online. Additional information is available on the AIHA website.
 
News & Notes
Winners' Circle
Laura Krause of Colorado and James Nelson of Nebraska are the third-quarter 2015 winners of the online survey drawing that appears in the Synergist Weekly e-newsletter. Both are lucky recipients of $200 American Express gift cards. Remember to take the online survey for your chance to win! Nominations Due Next Month The AIHA Nominating and Awards Committee requests nominations for the 2016 Fellow and AIHA awards. The deadline for AIHA awards nominations is Dec. 1, and the deadline for AIHA Fellows nominations is Dec. 31. Product Stewardship Society Plans Publications, eLearning in 2016 The Product Stewardship Society, an affiliate of AIHA, provides resources, professional development, and networking opportunities to individuals who have a role in product stewardship and sustainability. Membership in the Society surpassed 2,500 this year. In 2016, the Society is planning to publish several educational books, including the Product Stewardship Value Proposition, Principl​es of Risk Assessment for Product Stewards, and Professional Practices of Product Stewardship. In addition, the Society plans to expand its eLearning offerings on relevant technical and regulatory topics. Stewardship 2016 will be co-located with AIHce 2016 in Baltimore, Md., May 23–25. The conference will feature expanded educational offerings and more opportunities to network and make new contacts. ​​ Synergist Adds HTML Archives, New Search Functionality A recent overhaul of the Synergist archives on the AIHA website offers members access to HTML versions of individual Synergist articles starting with the January 2009 issue. Full-issue PDF archives are also available going back to 2001. In addition, an enhanced search function has been added to the archives site, allowing members to perform dedicated searches within Synergist issues from 2001 through the present. Members will need to log in to explore the archives. Dates and Deadlines​ November 30 Deadline to receive the 2015 AIHce On Demand “Pick 3” package with membership renewal. December 1 Deadline for AIHA awards nominations.
 
December 8–11 AIHA’s Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene course in Columbus, Ohio. December 31 Deadline for AIHA Fellows nominations and Distinguished Lecturer Program applications. January 31, 2016 Deadline to submit applications for the AIHA Finance Committee. For a complete list of events, visit the AIHA calendar.​​​

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