Fundamentals of Toxicology for Industrial Hygienists: Occupational Exposure Banding & Occupational Exposure Limits

Date: September 12, 2025

Time: 8:15AM to 4:30PM

Location: CU Boulder

CU Boulder Environmental Health and Safety Center

1000 Regent Drive

Boulder CO, 80309

(located at bottom of Parking Lot 440 between parking garage and CU Events Center)

Course Summary:

Managing risk from occupational exposure to chemicals requires identification and classification of hazards. For many chemicals, authoritative limits (e.g., ACGIH TLV, NIOSH REL, OSHA PEL, etc.) identify the safe exposure limit. Unfortunately, it is estimated that an authoritative limit is available for only about 6% of all chemicals in commerce. This is why OEHS professionals must possess the skills to identify safe exposure limits for chemicals. This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of establishing safe limits through a series of hands-on individual and team exercises. Using curated data sets, learners will begin the day by deriving an occupational exposure limit (OEL). Subsequent examples will demonstrate that data requirements may preclude the calculation of a quantitative limit. The focus will then turn to the qualitative process of occupational exposure banding (OEB). Using publicly available banding schemes, learners will identify the correct occupational exposure band for a number of chemicals. Learners will also learn techniques to enable the rapid screening of chemicals. Chemicals assessed in this course range from commodity chemicals, synthesis intermediates, to pharmaceuticals. A section of the course will discuss the particular challenges of data-poor compounds and provide practical strategies for determining safe handling requirements. To ensure future success in implementing these concepts, exercises are designed to mimic the process the learner will need to repeat once back at their job. Working through progressively more complicated assessments, learners will calculate at least three occupational exposure limits and complete occupational exposure banding for no fewer than three chemicals. Emphasis will be placed on identifying reliable sources of toxicological information and strategies to address data gaps. Each learner will be provided with a kit of materials including bound reference materials and a workbook used throughout the course.

Agenda below: 

 Instructor Bio: Renee Hartsook

Dr. Hartsook is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology with 25 years of experience in toxicology and risk assessment. Her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Toxicology and Doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology are from the University of California, Davis. A nonclinical toxicologist with extensive training and experience in pharmaceutical development, medical devices, pulmonary toxicology, GLP audit process and product stewardship, Dr. Hartsook has derived health-based occupational exposure limits across multiple therapeutic areas. In her consulting practice, she assigns occupational exposure bands to >200 compounds per year.

Note: If you are registering as a student, please email sarah.kaiman@colorado.edu with a description of the program in which you are enrolled.  A code for registration will emailed to you. 

2025 AIHA RMS Toxicology PDC Flyer.pdf