Course Description:
Recorded at AIHce EXP 2023
In recent years, wildfire and heat stress concerns have dominated the news around the globe. As industrial hygienists, we are often asked to assist in nontraditional environments that involve vulnerable populations. In this session, we will address how heat and wildfire smoke exposure has been handled in the film and television industry and in long-term care facilities. Film and television production in British Columbia is booming and is the third-largest production centre in North America, behind only Hollywood and Georgia. Temperatures and wildfire incidents in BC have been steadily increasing in the summer months. As such, filming in the summer months has been a challenge in BC and using a strictly occupational lens has been fraught with problems. Wildfire smoke mitigation strategies for a group of long-term care facilities in southern Idaho were evaluated and compared with strategies used to improve indoor air quality during COVID-19. Several differences in recommended practices were identified based on a COVID-19 (interior) or a wildfire smoke event (exterior). The goal was to recognize common issues that lead to poor indoor air quality within the facilities and recommend strategies for improving indoor air quality during COVID-19 or wildfire smoke events.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the health effects associated with heat and wildfire smoke exposure.
• Develop exposure control plans using public health guidelines.
• Determine applicable controls to mitigate heat and wildfire smoke exposures.
Contact Hours:
1
Presentation Date:
05/23/2023
Presenters:
Sheila McBride, MHS, CIH
Mona Shum, MSc, CIH
Michael Cooper, MS, MPH, CIH
