As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe, so does misinformation on personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination, and indoor air quality. These misunderstandings are putting healthcare workers and the general public at even greater risk. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has launched a public education effort to provide expertise and clarification on critical resources, including properly selecting, fitting, and decontaminating PPE; measuring and treating indoor air; and surface disinfection. 

“New information about this pandemic is released every day,” said Kathleen Murphy, CIH, AIHA board president. “But we are finding that misuse of PPE, and improper decontamination techniques, may be putting our public and our healthcare workers at increased risks. Our occupational health and safety experts—more traditionally known as industrial hygienists—are experts in reducing risks and preventing accidents. We also understand the pressures these crises have on the mental health of workers.”

The AIHA urges the public to connect with a local industrial hygienist. The association has also developed the Coronavirus Outbreak Resource Center, a series of free resources including:

• Recovering from COVID-19 Building Closures—This guidance document developed by the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality committee outlines the way businesses, schools, resorts, and other facilities that have been deemed “non-essential” during this COVID-19 pandemic could manage risks when they are ready to be reoccupied.
• Respirator Fit Testing Specialists—Find a specialist who can perform proper respirator fit testing from AIHA’s 2020 Consultants Listing.
• Proper use of respirators for healthcare workers and first responders that illustrates the difference between respirators and masks.
• “Ventilation, Surface Disinfection and PPE Considerations for the IP and IH” webinar—This town hall-style webinar, co-hosted by AIHA and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), addressed questions from occupational health and safety professionals, industrial hygienists, and infection preventionists about ventilation, surface disinfection, respirators, construction issues, and occupational health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• JOEH Articles Related to COVID-19—The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH) has provided access to articles to help hygienists, healthcare workers, allied professionals, and the public. These articles, both peer-reviewed research articles and commentaries from specialists in these areas, provide information relevant to making decisions on infection control practices.

For more information, visit www.aiha.org.