Assessing the work environment for agents that may cause occupational pulmonary disease

The industrial hygienist is a professional trained in the resognition, evaluation, and control of environmental stresses in the workplace and as such serves as a valuable recourse for medical personnel concerned with occupational lung disease. Knowledge of the precise identity and quantity of workplace hazards is often essential in diagnosing occupational lung disorders. In addition, an industrial hygienist familiar with the process can assess whether there is a likelihood of exposure to levels above the limits which are considered to be safe. This valuable industrial hygiene information can be from government (e.g., OSHA, state agencies), universities or consulting firms.