Industrial hygiene is a viable profession.
All of the criteria selected to measure the performance of our profession are positive and collectively proclaim our profession to be very viable. Phenomenal successes have occurred during its less than a century emergence. It is especially important that the next decades of practice continue this acceleration and not level off into complacency, a period of expanded practice but, essentially, in applying the same already-established methods of practice. Such stagnation could seriously hinder our effectiveness, our technical growth in the application of our special knowledge and skills, and our outreach to newer technologies and their milieu. Should this happen, newer sciences and professionals will emerge to fill the void instead of our profession solving attendant problems. As discussed under the section on definition, our practice is extending beyond plant boundaries. Programs such as identifying asbestos and other hazardous construction material with their removal and decontamination, radon identification and control in homes, and indoor contamination problems are areas where industrial hygiene techniques and procedures are directly involved. Industrial hygienists are obviously participating in these programs, and without fanfare. Should newer areas be more formally recognized and incorporated into the definition of industrial hygiene practice, it is appropriate to ask if the term industrial hygiene is sufficiently and firmly established to identify such to public, legislative, and other bodies, or could another more suitable term be used? We should keep in mind that protecting worker health is the mainstay of our profession. Our science and supporting bodies which have brought us to our present recognition and state of excellence should remain intact both in fact and in principle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cralley
L J
LJ
D002568:Certification; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States