The long-range goal of FITrAV is to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious airborne viruses among people, particularly those at work. To reduce risk, we must first identify the factors that influence risk. Little research has been conducted to measure the concentrations, sizes, and infectivity of particles to which people are exposed at work and in public spaces. Using an array of samplers and multiplex analyses for genetic material, the FITrAV team is collecting and analyzing air and surface samples from workplaces and public spaces to identify human respiratory viruses. The team is also assessing factors that may influence exposure in workplaces and public spaces such as temperature, relative humidity, room dimensions, occupant density, occupant activities, and ventilation parameters. Samples have so far been collected in a music classroom, medical clinic, dental clinic, hockey arena, and basketball arena. Viruses identified include SARS-CoV-2, two other coronaviruses, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus/enterovirus, adenovirus, and bocavirus. There was a greater prevalence of viral RNA in surface samples than air samples. Occupational Hygiene PhD students Majid Bagheri Hosseinabadi, Puleng Moshele, and Adepeju Adesina work on this project with faculty members Dr. Pete Raynor and Dr. Susan Arnold along with faculty, students, and staff from the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This project is funded by a gift from Dale and Helen Lundgren.

This project seeks to identify health and safety perceptions among gig-workers, and determine the impact COVID-19 has had on gig-workers’ well-being. The focus of the research is rideshare and delivery drivers like those working for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash. PhD student El’gin Avila, under the supervision of Professor Pete Raynor, has conducted semi-structured interviews to obtain qualitative assessments of workers’ health and safety perceptions and administered a questionnaire to obtain semi-quantitative assessments of their risk factors. An intervention in the form of a phone app will be developed to provide health and safety-related information to these workers tailored to their needs. The efficacy of this communication tool will be assessed by surveying a small group of workers. The project has been funded by a grant from the MCOHS Pilot Project Research Training Program.

Emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, and novel drug delivery can revolutionize how we make products, care for health, and accomplish work. However, they may also expose workers to hazardous materials involved in or produced by their use. InTERACCT will train occupational health and safety professionals to protect the health and safety of those working with these new technologies. Associate Professor Susan Arnold leads InTERACCT with contributions from Occupational Hygiene PhD students Rebecca Burton and Puleng Moshele, PhD students from other disciplines, Associate Professor Tran Huynh Professor Pete Raynor, and colleagues at the University of Iowa and UCLA. The project team is developing a comprehensive web-based curriculum focusing on worker health and safety in emerging technologies and providing research-based training for graduate students. The web courses will be designed for training, continuing education, and outreach, and targeted toward industrial hygienists and other environmental and occupational health professionals. InTERACCT is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.