IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                   
Release No. SPR-04-617-01                               

Contact:

Aaron Trippler, Government Affairs
(703) 846-0730; atrippler@aiha.org
                                                                        
 
South Carolina Legislature Becomes 18th State to Enact Industrial Hygiene Title Protection Bill
 
AIHA national and local section succeed in state approval of industrial hygiene professional recognition and title protection
 
 
FAIRFAX, VA (June 17, 2004)—The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the AIHA Carolinas Local Section today announced that the South Carolina state government recently enacted professional recognition/title protection legislation for the profession of industrial hygiene (IH) and safety.
 
“This is a great accomplishment for AIHA and for a profession dedicated to the quality practice of industrial hygiene,” said James G. Gartland, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CPEA, president of the AIHA Carolinas Local Section.  “Our South Carolina AIHA members should be congratulated on their efforts to get this legislation passed.” 
 
He added, “South Carolina’s business community and its employees will benefit greatly from the preservation of the long-term and profitable investment of industrial hygiene.”
 
Title protection/professional recognition legislation defines titles and definitions used by the profession, establishes legal recognition for the profession, and has the state legally protect the IH titles.  Only those who meet the criteria outlined in the definitions that are part of title protection legislation may use these IH titles.
 
For more information regarding AIHA’s position on title protection and professional recognition for industrial hygienists please visit www.aiha.org/governmentaffairs-pr/html/positionstatement97.htm. For other government affairs questions, please contact Aaron Trippler at (703) 846-0730 or atrippler@aiha.org. 
 
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Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals.  AIHA's 12,000 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government and academia.