r/industrialhygiene

Just wanting to get more understanding about the biggest sources/industried of ih jobs.

I just took the CIH exam and didn't pass 😭😭😭

One thing I need to get better at is air sampling equations. The test questions go along the line of your sampling for X analate, the labs Limit of Detection is Y. What is the minimum liters of air or run time to meet the LOD

For whatever reason I was struggling with setting up my equation for these, and there were several questions like this.

I'm asking for some help on finding practice questions. My exam prep course expired so I can't go back and look this up. Any help is appreciated!!

Hello!

I am a semi recent undergraduate with an Environmental Science background who recently got offered a position in a large consulting firm doing Industrial Hygiene work. Is there any advice you would offer someone starting in the industry, specifically in the consulting field. I appreciate any and all advice offered. This sub has been very helpful as someone who has been interested in the industry but unsure how to get their foot in the door. Thanks!

Thanks to advice from this sub I’m now a front man on the air monitoring program for my construction safety job. I also do noise dosimetry too so I can get my cih requirements filled.

It seems like such niche field and nobody I talk to about it really knows what it is.

I just want to know how others got into the field, when they did, and how they explain it to their friends and family.

reaching out to this group to see if anyone is willing to share their current combustible dust procedure with me as I try to build one for my company. I work for a furniture manufacturing company who generates wood dust that is combustible as well as powder coat dust. I'm attempting to review best practices across the industry so any help would be appreciated.

Does anyone foresee OSHA actually revising the benzene standard to move closer to the OSHA respiratory protection standard for cartridge change out schedules based on objective data.

Would like to move to PAPRs but benzene is an issue since the current standard is to dispose after each shift and the PAPR cartridges are over 100 a piece. Very low level exposure based on historical data and 10-15 minutes of use per day.

I have a bs in geology and asp. Hoping to get into a space where I can start working towards my cih. I’m worried not having an engineering degree will hurt my chances, figured I’d feel around.

Disclaimer: I created this alt account as the graduate program director for the University of Cincinnati's environmental and industrial hygiene program. We offer both IH and safety degrees at the MS and PhD levels.

The good news: our ERC, like most other ERCs, will continue to receive funding for the next few years.

The better news: after I count the incoming class and compare that with my secret budget sheet, I think there is still one MS trainee position available for Fall 2026.

The best news: if you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in IH, we can make that happen. You get stipends, health insurance, and tuition covered while here in Cincy town.

Oh, did I mention scholarships? Our students are rock stars when it comes to scholarships, we have students winning AIHA scholarships left and right, few got more than one this year. There was also this guy/gal getting three in a single year, crazy right? We also practically swept IHMM scholarships, all of them.

I also took some time to update our program's websites with the most up-to-date information:

https://med.uc.edu/depart/eh/divisions/ih/academic-programs/overview

https://med.uc.edu/depart/eh/divisions/ih/apply

https://med.uc.edu/depart/eh/divisions/ih/student-resources

If you are interested in joining the Fall 2026 cohort, feel free to DM me. I am also open to questions about Fall 2027, never too early to plan!

I will be at the AIHA, ASSP, and OH2026 (for UK blokes) conferences next month, if you prefer to ask questions face to face, I am more than happy to discuss with you.

I am currently applying to the University of Minnesota’s Environmental Health MS and Occupational Hygiene MS programs.

I have a strong interest in industrial hygiene, especially in biotechnology and healthcare settings. I’ve spent the last 6 years of my professional career (after receiving my BS in biology) working in a quality control laboratory as a research associate at a life sciences biotechnology company. Some of my role involves being an EHS safety representative for my lab, which made me realize how much I enjoy occupational health. I am interested in topics and roles regarding industrial hygiene, EHS, and exposure risk assessment. I lean towards industrial hygiene over being an EHS specialist, because I like performing tests and implementing improvements and interventions based on said test results.

Where I’m conflicted… I am leaning towards the Occupational Hygiene MS, but am worried it’ll pigeonhole me into that role only, whereas the Environmental Health MS would be more flexible with the career interests I mentioned above, but wouldn’t be desirable in Industrial Hygienist job applications if I decided to go that route.

Any insights or personal experiences much appreciated!

EDIT: Common focuses within the Environmental Health MS I am considering: Environmental Chemistry, Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Exposure Science, and Regulatory Toxicology and Risk Assessment.

Hi, I’m trying to estimate my exposure from a DIY incident where I used a power drill bit (~3/8”) to laterally grind a dryer vent opening in asbestos cement siding (20% chrysotile).

It was outside with light to moderate wind. Total active tool use was intermittent – no more than 5 minutes in total – though more time was spent standing around trying to fit the duct through, grinding again, etc. No more than ~ 1.5 square inch of siding was ground down.

When I use AI to research this, I get estimates that span many orders of magnitude – ranging from .000001 fiber years up to .001 fiber years. I think the primary issue is that there isn’t published task-based exposure assessments from using a drill bit this way, so assumptions about f/cc at tool vary.

Is hiring a CIH to provide a formal assessment for such a minor incident worthwhile or feasible? Or is the fiber year exposure so negligible that it’s not worth it, and if so, what would a worst case estimate be? Just trying to understand what my exposure was.

Thanks for opinions!

Hello all, I am currently an undergraduate student hoping to go into the field of EHS and industrial hygiene and I was just a bit curious as to what the day to day work looks like for you all.

I know the field is very broad so I just wanted to hear from you all on the fieldwork, desk work, and everything in between.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Hi,
I’m currently enrolled in the Industrial Hygiene advanced certificate offered by CUNY SPH. I’m thinking of doing a full masters after it - cause it’s only 8 more classes and a capstone. My employer will pay for it.

I wanted to know if anyone else did the same, and if they can share their experience. Mainly looking to see if I should do it there or transfer the credits to another school (if possible).

Thanks!