Monday, August 22

Chemical Exposure and Mold Breakout

Grand Ballrooms XII, XIII & XIV

Convention Level

Richard H. Weisberg, Attorney

James D. McCluskey, MD, MPH, PhD (c)

Jamie Poole, PhD, CIH

This discussion will include example cases exploring the differences between single causation agents versus multiple toxic agent exposures, both in the individual and multiple employee scenarios. Litigation aspects including discovery, medical evaluations, defenses, and statutory legal requirements for exposure cases will be covered. The role of the industrial hygienist in establishing the duration and degree of an exposure will be discussed. In addition, the medical aspects of each case will be discussed, including the diagnosis and alternatives, confounding factors, medical care and return-to-work issues.

Raymond Harbison, PhD

Robin DeHate, CHMM, MPH, PhD(c)

Health and safety specialists have a legal and ethical obligation to protect worker welfare. In addition, they must accurately and reliably determine workplace injuries. Regulations are intended to reduce risks to human life and health; however, they often affect the perception of "risk" that is associated with a chemical. This presentation will place exposures, the risk assessment process and regulations into context when evaluating workplace exposures and injury claims.

Tuesday, August 23

Grand Ballrooms XII, XIII & XIV

Convention Level

Raymond Harbison, PhD

The widespread popularity of indoor air testing for mold and mold spores increases the opportunity for controversy, as well as, for a concurrent increase in complaints associated with the potential for exposure. Health complaints and conditions are alleged without apparent diagnostic features, and disputes inevitably arise when these allegations are subjected to an evaluation via evidence-based medicine. This presentation will review the scientific methodologies used to evaluate these complaints.

James D. McCluskey, MD, MPH, PhD (c)

Rene’ Salazar, PhD, CIH

Tracey J. Hyde, Attorney

This session will discuss the environmental and medical evaluation of several representative cases of mold exposure in the workplace. Attendees will learn to evaluate the objective exposure evidence of each case, as well as interpret the subjective complaints of the patients. Participants will also learn how to manage the case in order to provide the information necessary for their legal counsel.

Steve Mlynarek, PhD, CIH

Mold continues to be an important public health issue. The media publicize it, the public seems to fear it, a substantial industry exists that assesses and remediates it, our regulatory bodies and court systems address it, and universities study it. This presentation will provide an overview of the current status of mold investigation and assessment by an industrial hygienist and university instructor.

James D. McCluskey, MD, MPH, PhD

This session will discuss the objective health effects potentially caused by exposure to mold in the environment. In addition, participants will evaluate and discuss symptoms and syndromes that are unlikely to be caused by mold exposure. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of documenting the actual exposure in the indoor environment and outside the workplace. Attendees will learn about the appropriate evaluation of an employee with indoor air complaints and pitfalls to avoid when pursuing the evaluation of the worker.