ABSTRACT
In 1918 the first college degree in industrial hygiene was earned. The industrial hygiene profession formed and gained recognition. The American Public Health Association created an industrial hygiene section, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists organized in 1938, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association originated in 1939. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has vastly expanded the need for occupational safety professionals. For example, membership in the American Industrial Hygiene Association has grown from 160 in 1940 to more than 10,000 today. More than 30 university programs provide formal professional training in industrial hygiene. In 1960 the American Board of Industrial Hygiene was formed to test and certify individuals as meeting high professional standards. Once certified, the individual may join the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene. Academic requirements of university industrial hygiene programs are interdisciplinary in nature, reflecting the broadly based requirements of the profession.
