Healthy Air Episode #14

Episode #14
‍Industrial Hygiene Technology Innovation | Jacob Persky

In this episode, Jacob talks about applying control mechanisms in a tightly controlled environment and industrial hygiene technology innovation. He also discusses how the world has changed as a result of the pandemic and what to look for when returning to the office.

Jacob Persky is the principal and co-founder at RHP Risk Management. He is an environmental consultant with 20 years of experience as an industrial hygienist. He considers himself to be an exposure scientist and specializes in helping clients to contextually understand and manage health risks from exposures to hazardous substances. Jacob holds a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University, a BS degree in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois, and is a board-certified Industrial Hygienist. His work has taken him to many diverse work settings in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, railroading, healthcare, facilities management, and oil and gas, and in interesting locations throughout the US and abroad to Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and Bolivia.

Keeping air safe has never been more important. Now that we are in the next normal, it is critical that the air we breathe in shared indoor spaces is healthy and safe for continued occupancy. Are we ready to face this challenge and mitigate airborne exposure risk indoors? Welcome to Healthy Air, a podcast that talks about the future of buildings and how to keep air safe and healthy. Keep up with the latest industry trends, latest technologies, and regulatory changes with your host, Erik Malmstrom, industry experts, and the SafeTraces team here on Healthy Air.

SHOW NOTES:

• An overview of Jacob’s background [1:03]
• Jacob’s motivation to start RHP [2:48]
• RHP’s Mission [3:38]
• Types of exposures that Jacob is analyzing [4:25]
• Understand the nature of the airborne pathogen transmission risk COVID-19 [6:49]
• Building safety: what should commercial building owners do [8:55]
• Building safety: what should health care facilities do [10:45]
• Building safety: what should tenants and employees do [11:54]
• Environmental consultants role [15:01]
• Performance and operation of HVAC [17:03]
• Building safety: what should insurers do [18:17]
• Building safety: what should legal compliance officers do [20:00]
• Infection control ventilation compliance requirements regulations [21:02]
• Jacob’s advice for ensuring regulations compliance [26:11]
• Jacob’s grade to the entire public health practice [26:59]
• Jacob’s opinion on having certificates to ensure public health and safety [29:48]
• Jacob’s predictions on technology innovation [32:43]
• How RHP stays on top of the market pulse [34:00]

RESOURCES:

• Jacob’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobpersky/
• Jacob’s company: https://rhprisk.com/

QUOTES:

“Our mission is to provide exposure science and risk assessment solutions to advance public health by helping clients make informed decisions to differentiate concepts of hazard and risk.”

“We understand the pathogen vectors and the control mechanisms for reducing exposure potential. These principles of infection control have been practiced in hospitals for many years.”

“Whether you’re selecting a proven technology or an emerging technology, it’s really important to test, validate and develop data that demonstrates why your building is now safer.”

“Post-pandemic, insurance companies need to get creative and find ways to differentiate their high-risk policyholders from their low-risk policyholders.”

“To ensure compliance, do something and document it. The worst thing you can do with this pandemic is to not do anything and claim that you didn’t know better.”

“We’re in the age of genomics and personalized data and microsensors. In the future, we’ll shift to an integrated approach to understanding exposures and personalized risk.”

“The world has changed forever as a result of the pandemic. It’s exciting to see industrial hygiene jargon go mainstream with a broadened awareness about the importance of healthy air.”