Updated Oct. 2025
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH): Your Guide
An Industrial Hygienist is a professional dedicated to protecting the health and safety of workers and the general public. Through a combination of education, training, and practical experience, Industrial Hygienists identify and evaluate health hazards in the environment, determine their potential impact on human health, and recommend effective control measures.
Their work often involves conducting exposure assessments, monitoring air quality, analyzing workplace conditions, and developing programs to prevent illness or injury. Many also help organizations create worker protection plans, perform compliance audits, and provide training for both management and employees. Most Industrial Hygienists hold advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., in fields related to environmental science, chemistry, biology, or engineering.
A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) takes these qualifications a step further. To earn this credential, an Industrial Hygienist must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, complete a minimum of four years of full-time professional experience, and successfully pass a rigorous national examination administered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).
Achieving CIH status demonstrates not only advanced knowledge across multiple technical areas but also a commitment to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards in the field.
The Role of a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) plays a critical role in safeguarding the health of workers and the general public. While CIHs are trained across all aspects of occupational and environmental health, many serve within corporations, consulting firms, or government agencies, where their responsibilities may focus on specific areas of expertise.
The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) is an independent organization that certifies Industrial Hygienists.
Rubrics (Fields of Study) in Which an IH Must Be Proficient Include:
- Air Sampling and Instrumentation.
- Analytical Chemistry.
- Basic Science.
- Biohazards.
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
- Community Exposure.
- Engineering Controls/Ventilation.
- Ergonomics.
- Health Risk/Hazard Communication
- IH Program Management.
- Noise.
- Non-Engineering Controls.
- Radiation-Ionizing and Non-Ionizing.
- Thermal Stressors.
- Toxicology.
- Work Environment and Industrial Processes.
What a Certified Industrial Hygienist Does
CIHs are part of the broader Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) community, with a specialized focus on protecting human health. Their work typically includes:
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Evaluating human exposure to chemical, biological, physical, and other hazardous contaminants—through sampling, testing, and developing control strategies—in both occupational and non-occupational environments.
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Developing emergency response plans to manage hazardous incidents effectively.
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Creating and implementing health and safety programs that align with regulatory and organizational standards.
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Upholding a strict code of ethics that prioritizes the protection of workers, the community, and the environment.
When to Contact a CIH
If you suspect that your factory, warehouse, office, school, public building, or home may contain contaminants or conditions that could harm your health or that of others, consulting a Certified Industrial Hygienist is a wise decision.
While it may not always be necessary to hire a CIH to conduct every test (to manage costs), it’s best practice to ensure that any industrial hygiene work is performed under the direct supervision of a Certified Industrial Hygienist. This ensures that a qualified expert is ultimately responsible for the methods, accuracy, and interpretation of the results—giving you confidence that your facility is being properly assessed and that health risks are being managed effectively.
Contact Phase Associates (formerly Atlantic Environmental) to learn more.
Our primary service areas are New Jersey NJ, New York NY (New York City) (Albany), Pennsylvania PA, Connecticut CT, Delaware DE, Massachusetts (Boston) MA, Washington DC, Maryland MD (Baltimore), Virginia VA (Arlington, Alexandria), Georgia (Atlanta) GA, Rhode Island (Providence) RI, and New Hampshire (Portsmouth) NH. We can service most other areas of the U.S., but with some added travel charges.