An IH hurled in a COVID World

It's our time to shine. But can we? How COVID-19 changes how we think, what we do, and how we do it...or don't..

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“..and yet even as professionals, we’ve all fallen victim to complacency. How many times have I entered a grocery store donning an N95 only to realize that I haven’t shaved in 3 days…?”

I’ve never once found myself applying so much of my IH knowledge into daily life outside of work. But how much can I really apply? Sure, it’s easy to look at a man with a thick beard sporting an N95 and think, “hey man you’re doing it wrong”, and more often than not, I find myself with the internal struggle of a science nerd version of me having a boxing match with the rational average Joe version of me who knows to let people go about their day. Especially true if what people are doing is not necessarily wrong or hurtful in any way.

During these times, myself and many other EHS professionals whom I’ve spoken to have basked in the newfound interest of close friends and family who suddenly find themselves interested in aerosol and particulate science. “Don’t you do this kind of stuff, with masks and such, for work?”. I can still hear the echoing questions of my close friends who might actually know what IH is now, while reminding me of the thousands of fit tests I performed at my previous job. I suppose in a sort of ironic way, this is suddenly the IH’s time to shine. “Gather round my friends, and I will tell you the many tales of IH fundamentals”. Okay, I don’t sit THAT high on my proverbial throne, but you get the idea..

“..I suppose in a sort of ironic way, this is suddenly the IH’s time to shine..”

Another caveat in all this, is the sudden influx of protocol in facilities ranging from disinfecting, to changes in ventilation systems, to the addition of standalone air scrubbers with the promise of eliminating airborne contaminants, including viruses. While great to see employers and building owners putting their best safety shoe forward (see what I did there?), it comes at both a financial risk and well as the increased potential for other hazards. For instance, the air scrubber using UV lights can photochemically react and cause Ozone. Likewise, more ventilation does not necessarily equate to better air quality. Turbulent air can scatter particles across a wide space without every actually being ventilated. Many colleagues are now being incorporated to consult with facility managers in order to implement the most feasible and effective measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. A testament to the diverse skillset we offer.

All in all, it is important to remember that as much as we sometimes feel the urge to, we can’t enforce public health to those who threaten it during the pandemic. Instead, we practice our own due diligence, advocate for public health for ourselves and others, and talk to our friends and family to create a positive science-based culture among those around us. Even if I advocate until I'm blue in the face, having just one person change his or her mind for the better is more than worth it to me. Complacency is only a problem if you fail to recognize it quick enough to correct it. One day this will all be over and we'll hook another notch in our never-ending belt of IH experience.