AIHce 2007: Experience The Expo

Fairfax, VA - The American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce) offers a one-stop opportunity to learn more about the latest in occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) technology, products, services and more. The expo is the focal point of the AIHce conference. In addition to the exhibits and educational opportunities, the expo is a great place to network. Expo hours are 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday, June 4; 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Tuesday, June 5; and 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 6.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) cosponsor AIHce.

Interesting Exhibits

The health risks from toxic exposure to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories are a danger that extends far beyond the user and the "cook" who manufactures the meth. To build on last year's success, a mock meth lab will be set up once again in the expo hall to demonstrate the health and safety issues faced by first responders, law enforcement personnel, and OEHS professionals who deal with illegal drug labs and meth-contaminated properties. Several industrial hygienists (IH) who are experts on these labs and often help assess contamination and recommend remediation steps will be on hand to explain the contents of the lab. Members of Philadelphia's fire department HAZMAT Team and the police department's Major Incident Response Team also will be present.

Many U.S. businesses are just now beginning to look at ways to prepare for the potential health, social, and economic impact of any form of pandemic. During a pandemic, IHs will have the responsibility for ensuring worker health and safety and maintaining an adequate work force to accommodate changes in workflow and production. An exhibit that will be of interest is the interactive pandemic display, "Pandemics: Then and Now," on the expo floor to illustrate the cycle and history of pandemics. The display will illustrate the critical role IHs play in the control of infectious diseases, how they undertake the vital function of educating employers and governments about the effectiveness of IH expertise, and the tools and processes that will control infectious diseases. IHs who are emergency response and planning experts have volunteered to spend time in the exhibit conducting short tours.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Hearing Loss Prevention Unit (HPLU) from NIOSH's Pittsburgh Research Laboratory will be featured on the expo floor. The HLPU is a mobile audiometric research laboratory that has traveled to 43 locations since it was outfitted in 1999. More than 5,000 hearing tests have been performed for miners, carpenters, auto workers, and those in other occupations. The HPLU staff can test four individuals at a time. Make sure you stop by the 32-foot trailer to get your hearing tested.

The photographic exhibit, "Our Future in Retrospect? Coal Miner Health in Appalachia," documenting coal community health issues during the last 60 years will be on display on the expo floor. The exhibit includes photographs taken by great Depression era photographer Russell Lee in 1946 and by noted photojournalist Earl Dotter, who recently photographed health conditions in today's southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky coalfield region. The exhibit, sponsored by the Wheeling Jesuit University Appalachian Institute, showcases the progress and regress in health practices and conditions in Appalachia. Come visit the exhibit to compare life in the coal communities of 1946 with today's conditions.

Attendees definitely do not want to miss seeing one of the world's first hybrid, electric, super cars developed by the West Philadelphia High School Electric Vehicle Team. The West Philadelphia High School Electric Vehicle Program (WPEVP) began in the fall of 1997 with one project that won second place at the Philadelphia Science Fair. Such success is rarely heard of from an inner city high school.

It's All Happening at the Expo

The expo floor also will host the AIHce Message Center and Cyber Center and provide attendees with opportunities to connect with each other while keeping in touch with home. The AIHA and ACGIH booths will be chock full of the latest information on association products and services intended to benefit IH and OEHS professionals, including conference-only publication discounts and prizes. Restaurants in the expo hall will offer beverages, snacks, and lunch every day. The opening cocktail reception Monday will give attendees a chance to visit companies at the top of their list while seeking out colleagues and making plans for the week ahead.

Conference Happenings

• Random prize drawings, including a chance to win a Harley-Davidson or $20,000
• General session surprises
• Lunch discussions, Monday–Wednesday
• Lounges on the expo floor to relax and network
• Daily noncompete expo time
• Technical, graduate, and undergraduate posters
• Blood drive

Expect the Unexpected

Other exciting activities will be going on throughout the conference. For instance, attendees can take a break and learn how to relieve stress on Monday, June 4, at 9:45 a.m. through guided, deep breathing body awareness and relaxation facilitated by Alison Hammer Winans. Award-winning beer writer Lew Bryson will give a short talk on Tuesday, June 5, at 9:15 a.m. about what makes Philadelphia such a great town for beer and tell you why the American beer scene has recently changed. Another session will help participants to identify their own level of integrity and times when they are out of integrity, so they can begin to "get it right." This session will be facilitated by Susan Scholl on Wednesday, June 6, at 9:15 a.m.

Take advantage of the virtual expo online at www.aihce2007.org to set your plan of action before traveling to Philadelphia. For more information regarding AIHce 2007, including a schedule of PDCs, education sessions, registration, and a list of exhibitors, visit www.aihce2007.org or contact AIHA at (703) 849-8888. On-site registration begins Friday, June 1, at 4 p.m.

SOURCE: AIHA