March 2026 – Dinner Meeting

March 2026 Dinner Meeting

Joint meeting with NJASSP & MABSA

Agenda:

5:00 p.m. Networking/Cash Bar

5:30 p.m. Before Dinner Session:

Topic: Enhancing worker health in NYC nail salons: Integrating low-cost sensor monitoring into exposure control and risk assessment

In New York City (NYC), approximately 23,000 nail salon workers face chronic exposure to hazardous airborne chemicals. Despite recent public health laws aimed at mitigating this exposure, compliance remains low. This presentation describes our efforts to assess health risks and reduce airborne chemical exposures among nail salon workers through the deployment and validation of low-cost air quality sensors. We will first summarize the relevant public health laws and policies requiring the use of local and general exhaust ventilation to reduce exposures to chemical hazards within the nail salon environment. Next, we will discuss our recently completed intervention study within NYC nail salons, where we educated salon owners and workers on their daily chemical exposures and developed an individualized plan with each salon to utilize existing engineering controls in response to worsening air quality. The discussion will also include concurrent efforts to validate six commercially available, low-cost sensors that measure total volatile organic compounds through comparison with reference instruments to determine their validity and suitability for use in nail salons. Finally, we will share preliminary health risk assessment findings for these workers derived from a multi-method exposure assessment approach. Collectively, our research provides evidence that low-cost sensor technologies can support proactive exposure monitoring and help reduce chemical health risks in nail salon environments.

 

Speakers: Mike Ierardi and Rachel Thompson

Rachel L. Thompson is a public health researcher and PhD candidate at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH). A biostatistician by training, Rachel’s research centers on the application of innovative quantitative approaches to understand and prevent chronic disease in the context of built, occupational, and social environments. Her current research spans a variety of topics, including: evaluating the impact of citywide park renovations on the health of low-income New Yorkers; assessing chemical exposures among nail salon workers; and using AI tools to improve health and safety communication for service workers.

Mike Ierardi is a risk assessor, board-certified industrial hygienist (CIH), and safety professional (CSP) with 11 years of experience in conducting and managing studies involving chemical, physical, and biological exposures and human health risk assessment. He has spent most of his career as a consultant, during which he provided on-site industrial hygiene support and sampling, conducted exposure assessments and dose reconstructions for a variety of chemicals in occupational and non-occupational settings, and routinely assisted clients with risk management and risk communication strategies. He holds a master’s degree in environmental health from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in industrial hygiene from the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH). He is currently a doctoral student at CUNY SPH where his research has focused on the assessment of volatile organic compound exposures among NYC nail salon workers, the impacts of climate change on occupational health, as well as psychosocial risk management.

6:30 p.m. $45 – Buffet Dinner

7:15 p.m. After Dinner Session:

Topic: Noise Dose Physics, Use of Dosimeters, Limitations of Dosimeters

This presentation starts with discussing old school vs new school noise dosimetry techniques, then helps the audience understand the useful noise dosimeter results as this is widely misunderstood. The audience will then learn the limitations of noise dosimeters, with respect to impulse and impact sound. The course then provides solutions for extended work shift noise OELs, a discussion of hearing protection derating, and finally shares noise dose sample results from an AIHA local section skeet shooting event. This presentation was part of the #1 Voted 2024 AIHA Connect PDC.

 

Speaker: Christopher T. Robertson, MSPH, CIH, CSP

After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Science in Public Health for Industrial Hygiene, Mr. Robertson has worked for 24+ years as a safety and industrial hygiene professional in multiple industries. He is currently certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene (Certificate #9304) by the Board of Global EHS Credentialing and certified in the comprehensive practice of safety (Certificate #21038) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He has personally worked for several industries, including pulp and paper, mining, commercial, energy, state agencies, refineries and chemical plants working both as an owner operator and as a contractor. Mr. Robertson has administered and supervised tens of thousands of industrial hygiene samples. He has mentored over 50 young professionals in the art and practice of industrial hygiene and safety throughout his long career. Mr. Robertson was recognized by AIHA as a Distinguished Lecturer in 2022. Using his extensive experience and knowledge, along with working alongside his colleagues and clients during normal operations and turnarounds, Mr. Robertson has helped employees safely return home and retire healthy.

Preregistration is appreciated so we can give an accurate headcount to the venue. Walk-ins are also welcome. You may register using the below form, or via email to Ronnie Tutty at njaiha@ptd.net.