Introduction to Industrial Hygiene

Book excerpt: This book is a non-encyclopedic introductory textbook of industrial hygiene. Based on years of teaching a single-semester course on the topic, it presents a broad survey of the field and addresses the typical student. Introduction to Industrial Hygiene is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on chemical hazards, presenting the basics of toxicology, the problems of skin contact and inhalation, the detection and control of airborne contaminants, and the threat of fire or explosion. The first part also describes government regulations and the agencies that enforce them. The second part of the book discusses injury from physical causes, including sound, radiation, heat, and accidents. This part also contains an introduction to ergonomics. The third part describes a range of industries that are major sources of both employment and potential injury, and it applies the principles outlined in the first two parts. At the end of each chapter, the material covered is summarized in a Key Points section. References are provided both to background material and to sources that expand beyond the scope of the chapter. Problems sets have practical bases and lead students into the CFR to familiarize them with the contents and the manner of locating information in the CFR. Extensive appendices provide practical information and allow the text to continue being a valuable source of reference for the student.