Like many individuals and organizations touched by recent events in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) was moved to send a check for $10,000 to the Twin Towers Fund.
Established by New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, the fund will help support the families of uniformed service members who lost their lives or were injured as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Those personnel include members of the New York City Fire Department and its Emergency Medical Service Command; the New York City Police Department; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; the New York State Office of Court Administration; and other government personnel.
"The leadership of AIHA believes that all members are behind the decision to make this contribution to the Twin Towers Fund," said AIHA President Henry B. "Hank" Lick, PhD, CIH, CSP, ROH.
Calling the police and fire folks "our brothers and sisters in occupational and environmental health and safety," Lick noted that "as first responders, rescuers and on-scene controllers of hazardous materials and other disasters, these are the people who take selfless risks and leave young families behind."
In addition to the cash donation, AIHA is coordinating the efforts of over 250 industrial hygienists who volunteered to assist businesses and residents of New York City in response to a request made by OSHA Administrator John L. Henshaw, a former AIHA president.
Henshaw asked the organization to develop a list of volunteers to assist with analyzing air quality data collected by OSHA. Because a request may also come for professionals to actually collect air samples as well, AIHA in turn has asked for volunteers who can do both. OSHA also requested AIHA to set up a hotline for New York City businesses and residents, to refer them to industrial hygienists, working on a pro bono basis, who can advise them on indoor air quality. The hotline number is (703) 849-8888.
Lick said that AIHA is also encouraging members to make individual contributions to the relief agency of their choice as well as to continue donating blood through the American Red Cross.
by Sandy Smith