The AIHA Guideline Foundation has partnered with the Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives (FCRI) to host two free virtual workshops on the derivation and use of occupational exposure limits (OELs), to be held Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, 2026. Instructors from these workshops will also lead AIHA’s 2027 Exposure Limits and Acceptable Risk Symposium held as part of AIHA Connect 2027. Registration for the virtual workshop series is now open, as is the open call for symposium paper submissions.

An OEL is a specific concentration of a chemical for a set period of time, designated by an organization to prevent health effects resulting from exposure to the chemical. AIHA established its Workplace Environmental Exposure Levels (WEEL) Committee more than 45 years ago to address the lack of clear OEL guidelines available to industrial hygienists. All OELs developed by the organization before 2013 are now publicly accessible on the AIHA website, along with their technical supporting documentation, a resource on OEL use and limitations, and a glossary.

The AIHA Guideline Foundation OEL Committee has been responsible for creating OELs since 2024. Organizations seeking to sponsor the committee’s work may contact the Guideline Foundation.

The joint Guideline Foundation and FCRI workshops are intended to increase knowledge of OELs among occupational health, toxicology, and product stewardship professionals. The Oct. 29 course will cover the use of scientific evidence and risk frameworks in the creation of OELs. The Nov. 12 course will explore how professionals choose relevant OELs and apply them in complicated chemical exposure scenarios. Both workshops will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on their respective dates. The course instructors will be Andrew Maier, MS, PhD, CIH, DABT, a Fellow of AIHA and the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS); Robert Roy, PhD, DABT, a Fellow of ATS; Robert Skoglund, PhD, DABT, CIH, CPPS; and Anthony Havics, CIH, PE. Registration for the workshops is free. The workshops will take place over Zoom.

The 2027 Exposure Limits and Acceptable Risk Symposium will take place May 22 through 23, 2027, in Houston, Texas. It will be one of the events preceding AIHA Connect 2027, the organization’s annual conference. Researchers interested in presenting on topics related to OELs and risk assessments for hazardous substances must submit their papers by Jan. 13, 2027. The AIHA Connect 2027 website provides more information on the symposium and a list of topics of interest.

The Guideline Foundation also plans to host a workshop on the harmonization of OELs in February 2027. More information about this event will be made available in the coming months.

About the AIHA Guideline Foundation

The AIHA Guideline Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization under the AIHA umbrella. The Foundation identifies and works to overcome gaps in knowledge and barriers to practice within the field of occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS). Projects of the Guideline Foundation address community exposure guidelines, occupational exposure limits, the development of consensus standards, and the advancement of OEHS science and practice.

About AIHA

AIHA is the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community. Founded in 1939, we support our members with expertise, networks, comprehensive education programs, products, and services that help them maintain the highest professional and competency standards. More than half of AIHA's nearly 8,500 members are Certified Industrial Hygienists, and many hold other professional designations. AIHA serves as a resource for those employed across the public and private sectors, as well as to the communities in which they work.

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