Industrial hygiene involves the recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards arising in or from the work environment. The ability to qualitatively and quantitatively assess work and community exposures to hazardous agents — and then develop effective control strategies to minimize the risk or harm to workers and the general public — is a highly sought after skill set.
The industrial hygiene degree program at Clarkson was established in early 1980s, with the first degrees being awarded in 1984. In 2007, the name was changed to environmental health science (EHS) to allow for an expanded focus of the degree curriculum and the types of careers the students may pursue.
While the name change was a valuable evolution, many who study EHS still pursue a career as an industrial hygienist, and some go on to obtain professional certification as a certified industrial hygienist.
