The book suggests ways that models can be applied to several case studies. For each scenario, the book presents background information about the work process, walks readers through the steps necessary to gather information about the chemical hazard, and depicts calculations and equations associated with the models.

Scenarios include the spilling and evaporation of volatile liquids, wood dust exposures from a sanding operation, solvent exposures from barrel filling in an indoor space, historical exposures near a trichloroethylene degreaser, a release of chlorine gas, ventilation for a flavoring process, acetic acid exposures from a cleaning product, oxygen deficiency in a storage tank, aerosol solvents in an auto shop, and methylene chloride exposures from furniture strippers.

In addition to serving as the book’s editor, Keil is credited as author or coauthor for 13 of its 19 chapters. As he explains in the preface, the publication grew out of a professional development course he taught that focused on real-world applications of mathematical models in industrial hygiene. “The hope and intent are to spark readers’ imaginations about the use of modeling and provide an on-ramp to welcome more industrial hygienists into the use of models in their daily practice,” Keil writes.

A forward by John Mulhausen, PhD, CIH, CSP, FAIHA, places the book in the context of recent AIHA initiatives intended to address deficiencies in OEHS professionals’ qualitative exposure assessments. Research has shown that unaided qualitative judgments are often wrong and typically underestimate exposures, putting workers at risk. Modeling is one tool that can significantly improve professional judgment, but practitioners have been slow to adopt it.

“That is why this book is so important,” Mulhausen writes. “Its approach—an emphasis on case studies and advice for collecting critical exposure determinant information—is designed to address people’s discomfort about how to approach an exposure scenario and choose the appropriate model, gather needed model inputs, and interpret and communicate the results.”

The Critics’ Choice Award is an annual honor recognizing publications that are noteworthy for their originality, quality of work, and impact on the OEHS profession. CPAG judges commended the book for its innovative approach and well-crafted diagrams.

The book is available for purchase on the AIHA Marketplace.

Members Approve Bylaws Changes In voting conducted electronically from April 17 through May 8, AIHA members approved changes to the organization’s bylaws. The changes modify an aspect of organizational membership and allow the Board of Directors to establish discounted dues across membership segments. As stipulated by the bylaws, the changes were approved by two-thirds of voting members.

The AIHA bylaws address organizational membership in Article III, Section 7. An organizational member is a company that is afforded discounts on individual membership dues. The more individuals who are included in the organizational membership, the greater the discount. While the company that holds the organizational membership does not have voting privileges and cannot serve on AIHA committees, members have approved a change to clarify that the company’s individual members “shall be considered Full Members” and can therefore vote and participate in committee work.

Members also approved a change that adds the following sentence to Article III, Section 10: “The Board of Directors shall have the authority to discount or establish special dues for any segments that the Board of Directors establishes within membership classes.”

The AIHA bylaws are available on AIHA's website.

AIHA Accolades Congratulations to Thomas G. Bobick, PhD, PE, CSP, CPE, for receiving the 2024 Thomas F. Bresnahan Standards Medal from the American Society of Safety Professionals. The award honors Bobick’s work in developing voluntary national consensus standards, including the recently released ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024, Heat Stress Management in Construction and Demolition Operations. More information is available from ASSP's website.

The 2024 NIOSH Science and Service Award winners include several AIHA members. Recipients of the Alice Hamilton Award for Occupational Safety and Health include Eric Esswein, MSPH, CIH, CIAQP, FAIHA, and John Snawder (communication and guidance category); Ju-Hyenong Park, ScD, CIH (methods and laboratory science); and Jessica F. Li, MSPH, CIH (research service). Recipients of Plain Language Awards include James Couch, PhD, CIH, CSP, REHS/RS. And the Director’s Intramural Awards for Extraordinary Science recipients include Jennie Cox, PhD, who received the Early Career Scientist Award. Congratulations to all!