FAQs are included on
the following topics:
Committees
How do I join an ACGIH® Committee?
Committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors. Any ACGIH®
member interested in volunteering for possible appointment may do so
by writing to the Chair of ACGIH® in care of the Headquarters Office,
1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45240. Be sure to include a copy
of your résumé or curriculum vitae (C.V.).
Back to Top
Educational Events
Can I register for an ACGIH® educational event over the telephone?
You can register for any ACGIH® educational event online at http://www.acgih.org/events/index.htm
for a list of all events; 2) by fax at 513-742-3355 (Attn: Penny Martin); 3) by mail to ACGIH®, Attn: Penny Martin, 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45240; or 4) by calling Penny Martin at 513-742-2020. (Please have your credit card handy when calling.)
How do I obtain information on 'sightseeing tours or city attractions'
for an upcoming large city conference?
Information on what to see and do at the conference is typically included
in the preliminary program for the conference. You may also contact
the city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau for more information.
As a member of ACGIH®, do I receive discounts on registration fees
to attend ACGIH® educational events?
Yes. ACGIH® members receive discounts on registration fees
for ACGIH® educational events. Please check the website for registration
fee information and to register for an event. (See http://www.acgih.org/events/index.htm
for list of all events.)
Will I receive a receipt and/or confirmation of payment regarding
registration fees I've paid?
Registration confirmations are emailed after the registration
is received at ACGIH® Headquarters and the payment is processed. Please allow 10-14 business days
to receive your confirmation before contacting ACGIH® as to whether the
registration was received. If you paid with a credit card, a copy of
the credit card receipt will be available at the event.
If paying by check, you must request to receive a receipt on your registration
form or contact ACGIH® at 513-742-2020 or submit your request at http://www.acgih.org/contact/contactconffrm.htm.
Can I earn certification maintenance (CM) and continuance of certification (COC) points for attending
an ACGIH® educational event?
Yes. Typically, ACGIH® educational events are approved for awarding
certification maintenance points and continuance of certification points to attendees of the events. Please check
the website to find the number of points awarded for a particular event.
(See http://www.acgih.org/events/index.htm
for list of all events.)
What time does a particular conference/course begin?
Conference schedules are listed on the ACGIH® events website.
Please check the website for the most up-to-date schedule (see http://www.acgih.org/events/index.htm
for a list of all events). If you have any questions you may contact ACGIH®
at 513-742-2020 or submit your questions at http://www.acgih.org/contact/contactconffrm.htm.
Can you give me directions to ACGIH® Headquarters?
Directions to ACGIH® from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
International Airport: Take I-275 West (*note: it will turn into I-275
East) to Exit 39 Winton Road. From the exit take a right on Winton Road
South and proceed to the second traffic light (Kemper Meadow Drive). Turn
right on to Kemper Meadow Drive. At the second drive on the right, Kemper
Woods Business Center, turn right, then bear right through the wooded
tree area and straight ahead to ACGIH® (Building #1330, Suite 600). There
are signs indicating directions to the building numbers; however, they
are small. Map to ACGIH® facility is available.
Directions from Dayton International Airport to ACGIH®: From Dayton International Airport, take I-75 South to I-275 West (approximately 54.6 miles from Dayton to ACGIH® Headquarters). Continue on I-275 West to Exit 39 (Winton Road exit). Travel south on Winton Road approximately ¼ mile. At the third traffic light, turn right onto Kemper Meadow Drive. Kemper Woods Business Center is the second drive on the right. Turn right, then bear right through the tree-lined area, and straight ahead to ACGIH® (Building 1330). There are signs indicating directions to the buildings; however, they are small.
What hotels are located near ACGIH®? Are directions available?
The following hotels have typically reserved a limited number of rooms for event participants. Each offers a complimentary continental breakfast for their guests.
- AmeriSuites, 12001 Chase Plaza Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45240; Phone: 513-825-9035; Fax 513-825-9185; Located approximately 1/4 mile from the ACGIH® Professional Learning Center.
- DoubleTree Guest Suites (A Hilton Hotel), 6300 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241: Phone: 513-489-3636; Fax 513-489-8231; Located approximately 8 miles from the ACGIH® Professional Learning Center.
- Hampton Inn Fairfield, 430 Kolb Drive, Fairfield, OH 45014; Phone: 513-942-3440; Fax: 513-942-3441; Located approximately 1 mile from the ACGIH® Professional Learning Center.
Directions to the hotels from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport:
AmeriSuites: Take I-275 West (to Indiana) follow I-275 (*note: it will turn into I-275 East). Take I-275 East to Exit 39 (Winton Road). From the exit, take a right on Winton Road heading south and proceed to the first traffic light. Turn right onto Smiley Avenue (Wendy's and Frisch's Big Boy are on the corner). Lees Inn is straight ahead or turn right again and follow signs to the AmeriSuites Hotel. A map to the AmeriSuites and Lees Inn and Suites is available.
DoubleTree Guest Suites "A Hilton Hotel": Located on I-275 at Exit 47 (Reed Hartman Hwy) approximately 8 miles east of the Winton Road South Exit 39 where the ACGIH® Professional Learning Center is located. If traveling east on I-275, take the Exit 47 ramp and turn left onto Reed Hartman Highway. Turn left at the first traffic light. This road will take you to East Kemper Road. When you get to the traffic light, you will see the DoubleTree Guest Suites on your left. If traveling I-275 west, turn right onto Reed Hartman Highway, turn right at the first traffic light and you will see the DoubleTree Guest Suites on your left.
Hampton Inn Fairfield: Take I-275 West (to Indiana) follow I-275 (*note: it will turn into I-275 East). Take I-275 East to Exit 39 (Winton Road). From the exit, take a left on Winton Road then travel approximately 1/4 of a mile to the 3rd traffic light which is Kolb Drive (there will be a Bob Evans on the corner), at which turn right. You will then see the Hampton Inn straight ahead just across from the Cincinnati Mills Mall and just beyond the Golden Corral restaurant.
Where can I get information regarding AIHce?
Any questions regarding the American Industrial Hygiene Conference
and Exposition (AIHce) can be found at www.aiha.org, the website of
the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), or by calling 703-849-8888.
Back to Top
Financial Questions
Does ACGIH® require 1099s?
No. Since ACGIH® is a not-for-profit, 501c(6) corporation, chartered
in the state of Ohio, it is not necessary to issue ACGIH® a 1099. Our Federal
ID# is: 31-1142148.
What is ACGIH®'s SIC code?
The SIC code for ACGIH® is 8621.
Are my membership dues tax-deductible?
Dues to ACGIH® may be deductible to members for US federal income tax purposes as ordinary business expense. Dues are not deductible as charitable contributions. Your allowable income tax deduction is not reduced by any lobbying expense. ACGIH® does not engage in lobbying. Please consult your tax advisor for individual assistance in specific member situations. From your dues, $22 is allocated to your online member subscription to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH) and may not be deducted from your dues payment.
Why does ACGIH® require my Card Security Code (CSC) to make a credit card transaction?
The CSC appears only on the card itself (not on receipts or statements). This provides some assurance that the physical card is in possession of the buyer, and therefore, helps to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent use.
Back to Top
General Questions About the Profession
How do I obtain a professional certification?
ACGIH® is not a certifying body. The designations of "Certified
Industrial Hygienist" (CIH) and "Certified Associate Industrial
Hygienist" (CAIH) are granted by the American Board of Industrial
Hygiene (ABIH). ABIH issues to qualified persons who pass its certification
examinations (and continue to meet continuing education requirements),
certificates acknowledging their competence in industrial hygiene or
aspects thereof. For more information, visit them at http://www.abih.org.
Similarly, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) awards
the designation of Certified Safety Professional (CSP) to individuals
who meet the standards for a safety professional established by BCSP
and who continue to meet annual renewal and recertification requirements.
For more information, visit them at http://www.bcsp.org.
ACGIH® does offer opportunities to earn certification maintenance points
for the aforementioned certifications, however, through many of our
conferences, courses, and symposia (see http://www.acgih.org/events/index.htm),
and the "Action Level"®
continuing education column of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental
Hygiene (JOEH) (see https://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alregfrmSecure.htm).
Does ACGIH® offer lab accreditation?
No. Laboratory accreditation is offered by the American Industrial
Hygiene Association (AIHA). Visit them at http://www.aiha.org/accred.html.
Back to Top
Membership
I want to join ACGIH®, but I work in private industry. Am I eligible
for membership in ACGIH®?
Yes! Although membership in ACGIH® had once been restricted to professionals
employed by a governmental agency or an educational institution, that
is no longer the case. ACGIH® membership has now expanded to include
anyone engaged in the occupational hygiene, environmental health, occupational
health, or safety professions even if their primary employment is not
with a government agency or an educational institution (the Associate
Member category). Furthermore, the Bylaws have now been amended to grant
these Associate Members greater voting rights. Membership in ACGIH® is
a valuable investment for those interested in collaborating with peers
from a variety of occupational health and safety backgrounds.To learn
more about ACGIH® membership and its benefits,
visit our membership page at http://www.acgih.org/members/index.htm.
I read something about greater voting rights. Can you provide me
with additional details regarding this change?
A key element of the new Bylaws
is that over 90% of our current members are now classified as either Regular
or Associate members. The Associate member category now allows members
who are not governmental or academic employees voting rights on all
ACGIH® matters (does not include voting on ACGIH® Bylaws amendments), including
ACGIH® elections, inclusion as one of three Board Directors-at-Large, with
full voting rights at the board level, and voting rights on all committees
(excluding Nominating Committee).
What are the benefits of membership in ACGIH®?
Membership in ACGIH® is an important asset to any occupational safety
and health professional's career. Members receive a wide variety of
outstanding benefits, including discounts on publications, and continuing
education opportunities, just to name a few. Click here to find out more!
Does ACGIH® offer membership for Organizations?
Yes. ACGIH® offers valuable benefits to organizations in occupational safety and health. For more information on Organizational Membership, visit http://www.acgih.org/members/orgbenefits.htm.
If I am a new member when can I expect to be able to access the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH)?
JOEH is primarily an online journal. As such, you will be able to access the journal 24 hours after your membership payment has been received and processed by ACGIH®. You can opt to receive the printed version of JOEH for an additional cost. If you receive the printed version, you will receive your first issue approximately one month after your membership payment has been received and processed by ACGIH®. Also, as an ACGIH® member, you will be able to access all back issues of JOEH as well as the Applied archives.
Can members access JOEH on the ACGIH® website?
Yes. The ACGIH® website contains a "MEMBERS ONLY" link (www.acgih.org/products/JOEH) that will link members to JOEH on Taylor and Francis's website. If you encounter any problems, send an email to Taylor and Francis's help line at iproduction@taylorandfrancis.com.
What about my TLVs® and BEIs® Book?
Since membership dues include one annual copy of the TLVs® and BEIs®
book, you can expect to receive your copy within weeks 4-6 weeks of
your approved membership application. The Database of Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) for Chemical Substances is also
available online — an exclusive benefit for members.
How do I submit address or status changes for my membership?
A change of address form is located at http://www.acgih.org/members/change.htm.
You may also send your request by e-mail to memberservices@acgih.org,
or by phone (513-742-2020), fax (513-742-3355), or mail (ACGIH®, 1330 Kemper
Meadow Dr., Suite 600, Cincinnati, OH 45240).
Can I purchase your mailing lists?
Out of respect for its members and customers, ACGIH® does not
sell its mailing list.
Back to Top
Publication Orders / Customer Service
What are ACGIH®'s Normal Business Hours?
ACGIH®'s normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ACGIH® Online Publications Store (www.acgih.org/Store) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (Note: Rush orders placed in the Online Publications Store can only be processed during ACGIH®'s normal business hours.)
What are ACGIH® Signature Publications?
Our Signature Publications represent the very best ACGIH® has to offer with over 20 titles on a variety of subjects.
Written by professionals for professionals, our Signature Publications are prepared using the highest scientific principles and practices, and with the health and safety of workers worldwide in mind.
Most of this collection of publications has been authored and edited by ACGIH® technical committee members who are actively involved in the advancement of industrial hygiene and are committed to worker health and safety.
By purchasing these publications, you are also directly supporting ACGIH®. The funds generated from the Signature Publications are used to enhance our efforts to provide quality services for the industrial hygiene community at large and advance the cause of worker health and safety.
How can I find publications offered by ACGIH® on this website?
ACGIH® offers 400+ publications on a range of industrial hygiene and occupational safety and health topics. You can search for a specific topic or title in the ACGIH® Online Publications Store (www.acgih.org/Store) by entering the required information in the Search Engine window. You can also browse through the ACGIH® Online Publications Catalog, simply click on the "Online Publications Catalog" button at the top of the Publications Store page (www.acgih.org/Store). The Online Publications Catalog is available in PDF format, complete with links to each section in the Table of Contents as well as links to individual publications throughout the Catalog. To view the PDF files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded at no cost.
How do I submit a new publication or new publication concept to ACGIH® to be considered by ACGIH® for its Signature Publications series?
If you are interested in producing a new publication to be considered by ACGIH® for inclusion in its Signature Publications series, submit your request at http://www.acgih.org/Products/PubsWksht.htm by completing the Publications Planning Worksheet. The Worksheet is required for all new publications being considered for the Signature Publications series, and allows us to extract information that allows us to make a determination of our interest in the publication and the publication's suitability for ACGIH®. All new publications must be approved by the Board of Directors.
If I place an order, how long will it take to receive it?
All U.S. and Canadian orders will be shipped via UPS ground service where available, unless you specify otherwise when placing the order. The street address must be included with your order. UPS does not deliver to a post office box. Overnight shipping services are available at additional cost. Delivery time is usually 7-10 business days after the order is placed. Some of our publications are not stocked in our warehouse and are shipped directly from the vendor; please allow extra time for them to be received at your location.
Rush service is available for all shipments for an additional fee of $20.00 for each order. Rush service guarantees that your purchase is shipped from our office within 24 hours of receiving the order. The order must be received during our normal business hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm ET – Monday - Friday.
Orders for delivery outside the U.S. and Canada are shipped First Class Mail International, Priority Mail International, or Express Mail International based on weight and availability, unless otherwise requested. First Class Mail International can take up to 3 months. ACGIH® is not responsible for non-receipt of orders shipped by a service that does not provide a tracking service. USPS does not provide tracking service on First Class Mail. USPS provides limited tracking on Priority and Express Mail International shipments. Expedited service to locations outside the U.S. is available at an additional cost of $10.00 per publication and upgrades your shipment to Priority Mail or Express Mail International based on availability. Priority Mail International service delivers within 6-10 days and Express Mail International delivers within 3-7 days.
Please note that all shipments leaving the U.S. may be subject to duties, taxes, and other related fees where applicable imposed by customs and carrier officials and are the responsibility of the customer.
What is your return policy on orders?
Publications are eligible for return within 30 days of delivery date. Publications returned for credit or refund to ACGIH® must be returned via insured carrier, and received in saleable condition. Proof of delivery date must accompany the return. Items that are returned more than 30 days after delivery, or are in unsaleable condition will be charged a restocking fee at the discretion of ACGIH®. Returns will not be accepted after 60 days from the delivery date. ACGIH® cannot exchange publications unless they are defective or damaged.
Do you offer any type of discounts on publications?
Volume discounts are available on certain items, and are listed in the catalog
(http://www.acgih.org/store).
Contact ACGIH® Customer Service for pricing information on these items by phone:
513-742-2020, fax: 513-742-3355, or at http://www.acgih.org/contact/contactcsfrm.htm.
In addition, ACGIH® members receive a 10% discount on items listed as
ACGIH® Signature Publications (i.e., items for which ACGIH® is the publisher).
When the aforementioned volume purchases apply, ACGIH® members may take
the 10% off the already-discounted volume price.
Why can't I access my Free Download?
In order to access your Free download, you need to take your order all the way through to submitting it. Once you've added your document(s) to the cart, you then click "Checkout", then "Review Order", and finally "Submit Order". (Members: You need to check the "Free" box in order to use one of your free downloads. This will deduct one free download from your account once the order is submitted.) Once your order is submitted, the title of your Documentation will change into a link. Click the link to open your document. (Note: Downloads are only available for 5 days after purchase.)
Downloadable documents are available only in PDF format and require you to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to view your download. If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, you may download it free from Adobe's website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
Can I go back another time to download a document from a past order without having to go through the ordering process again?
You have 5 days from the time of your order to go back and download your document. To do this, go to the store at http://www.acgih.org/store, log in, then click the button "Past Web Orders". A list of all your past orders will appear. Click on the order that contained the download, then click on the download link. This will again open your document in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
I didn't use my five free downloads last year. Can I carry them over?
No. A member's five free downloads must be used during his or her membership year. Any downloads not used are lost.
Why was the 2002 NIC for Diesel Exhaust Particulate, as elemental carbon withdrawn?
Diesel Exhaust Particulate was on the 2002 Notice of Intended Changes (NIC) with a proposed TLV® of 0.02 mg/m3 respirable particulate, and an A2 carcinogenicity notation.
That same year (2002), the EPA released a large publication concerning diesel fuel exhaust (available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=29060) and we had received many comments from outside parties regarding our NIC for Diesel Exhaust Particulate. Based on this information, the Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances (TLV®-CS) Committee determined that the draft NIC Documentation for Diesel Exhaust Particulate, as elemental carbon, was in need of substantial revision. It was withdrawn from the 2002 Notice of Intended Changes (NIC). At this time there are no ACGIH® values for Diesel Exhaust.
Please refer to the TLV®/BEI® Development Process for further information on the timeline and information flow that the Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances (TLV®-CS) Committee follows when setting TLVs®. Also refer to the ACGIH® Statement of Position.
What is the basis for the TLV® or BEI® for (fill in the name of the
chemical or physical agent)?
Every TLV® or BEI® is developed and based on the available, relevant, scientific data for that agent. These data are presented and discussed in the Documentation
for that chemical substance or physical agent. All ACGIH® Documentation are available online at http://www.acgih.org/store.
When will the latest Documentation be available for a new
TLV® or BEI®?
TLV®/BEI® Notice of Intended Changes (NIC): When the full Committee accepts the draft Documentation and its proposed TLV® or BEI®, the Documentation and proposed values are then recommended to the ACGIH® Board of Directors for ratification as an NIC. If ratified, each proposed TLV® or BEI® is published as an NIC. The proposed TLV® or BEI® is considered a trial limit by ACGIH® for approximately one year following the NIC ratification by the ACGIH® Board of Directors. During this period, interested parties, as well as ACGIH® members, are invited to provide data and substantive comments, preferably in the form of peer-reviewed literature, on the proposed TLVs® or BEIs® contained in the NIC.
TLV®/BEI® and Adopted Documentation: If the Committee neither finds not receives any substantive data that change its scientific opinion regarding an NIC TLV® or BEI®, the Committee may then approve its recommendation to the ACGIH® Board of Directors for adoption. Once approved by the Committee and subsequently ratified by the Board, the TLV® or BEI® and supporting Documentation are finalized for formal publication.
Availablility of Above Information: Actions are announced by February 1 of each year in the Annual Reports of Committees on TLVs® and BEIs®, and later in the annual TLVs® and BEIs® book. At the same time, the draft Documentation for an NIC is made available. The final Documentation for an adopted substance is available later in February. These items are available through Customer Service or online at http://www.acgih.org/store.
A complete overview of the TLV®/BEI® Development Process is posted on the ACGIH® website (http://www.acgih.org/TLV/DevProcess.htm).
Why do the Chemical Substance TLVs® change periodically?
TLVs® for chemical substances may be changed by ACGIH® as a result of the
evaluation of newly available data or re-evaluation of existing data.
Justification for these changes is presented in the TLV® Documentation
for the chemical in question.
What is meant by a soluble versus insoluble chemical substance?
In theory, use of the term solubility in the TLVs® for metals refers to
its solubility in biological fluids, especially in the lung. However,
water solubility often is used as a surrogate for this. For more detailed
information please see the TLV® Documentation for the specific substance
of interest and the "Q&A Column" in the December, 1995 issue of ACGIH®
Today!.
I am finding some acronyms and abbreviations that are not familiar to me. Is there a list available?
Yes. See http://www.acgih.org/Resources/acronyms.htm for a list of acronyms and abbreviations along with their descriptions. The inside back cover of the annual TLVs® and BEIs® book also lists acronyms and abbreviations.
Back to Top
