A. Michael Ierardi, CIH, CSP

Senior Consultant

A. Michael Ierardi, CIH, CSP Senior Consultant

Mr. Mike Ierardi is an accomplished occupational and environmental health and safety expert with 10 years of consulting, project management, and research experience, demonstrating effective time management and persuasive communication skills. He is board-certified in industrial hygiene and workplace safety and highly proficient in managing complex projects related to human health risk assessment in fast-paced, dynamic environments. He excels in collaborating with allied stakeholders to implement data-driven solutions. His expertise spans a broad array of areas, including exposure science, safety, and occupational toxicology and epidemiology, and industries such as agrichemical, entertainment, food and beverage, manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and technology. He has published 15 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and routinely presents his research at scientific conferences. He is also an active member of several of American Industrial Hygiene Association’s (AIHA’s) volunteer groups, including as the founding member of the PR(IH)DE Special Interest Group, and actively serves as an invited peer reviewer for several scientific journals. With a track record of reliable leadership, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills, Mr. Ierardi is committed to safeguarding and fostering the health, safety, and mental well-being of diverse teams.

A. Michael Ierardi, CIH, CSP

Senior Consultant

Industrial Hygiene and Exposure Science

Cr(VI) Air Sampling and Compliance Strategy, New York Assisted a manufacturer of building and construction materials to address supply constraints related to Portland cement while ensuring compliance with international hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) standards. Delivered end-to-end support through hazard identification, regulatory compliance guidance, and the design of a detailed sampling plan to assess airborne Cr(VI) concentrations at a manufacturing facility.

Assessment of Nail Salon Exposures, New York Performed area monitoring for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using thermal desorption tubes in several nail salons across New York City to assess inhalation risk among workers.

Personal and Area Monitoring for VOCs, California Developed and supervised the implementation of a VOC sampling plan, including bromoform, at a facility specializing in sustainable agriculture. Multiple personal (full-shift and task-based) and area samples were collected using passive badges and a Summa^® canister, respectively, and results were analyzed using Bayesian decision analysis to inform exposure control recommendations.

Industrial Indoor Air Quality Investigation, Connecticut Designed and executed an indoor air quality investigation of potential VOC exposures, including trichloroethene (TCE), among workers in a medical manufacturing facility situated on a former industrial site. Collected full-shift personal and area samples with Summa canisters, in additional to environmental data.

Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Review, Washington, DC Drafted comments on the White House’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan related to mental health and well-being among workers as part of a volunteer effort with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

Infection Control for the Entertainment Industry, Nationwide Assisted television, film, and media production companies respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting virtual COVID-19 Compliance Officer (CCO) trainings; creating bespoke, comprehensive infection control plans, such as personal protective equipment and field guidance documents, facility cleaning and disinfecting recommendations, case management plans, and return-to-normal business operations recommendations; as well as liaising with COVID-19 testing vendors to coordinate and schedule diagnostic testing programs.

COVID-19 Compliance for Entertainment Client, New York Led a support team of four onsite CCOs at an internationally televised music award show for a major broadcasting network. Provided four days of CCO support at the filming location and worked in tandem with the network’s safety team to ensure that everyone onsite, including cast, crew, and vendors, strictly adhered to the COVID-19 health and safety policies and procedures in place, such as social distancing, use of face masks, and daily wellness screenings.

Heat Stress Evaluations in New York City Public School Kitchens, New York Designed and implemented a heat stress and indoor air quality sampling program for New York City public school kitchens to assess potential risk of heat-related illness and/or acute injury.

Thermal Runaway Simulation Study, California Assisted with a simulation study in which various airborne samples of metals, VOCs, and inorganic acids were collected and quantified following lithium-ion battery thermal runaway events to perform a screening-level human health risk assessment.

Audiometric Testing Risk Assessment, Nationwide Conducted a focused risk assessment of various options for audiometric testing of workers at U.S.-based production sites for a multinational food and beverage corporation with the primary objective of assessing how to best protect employees during the COVID-19 pandemic while transitioning to normal business operations and simultaneously remaining compliant with annual audiometric testing requirements set forth by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.95.

Qualitative Exposure Assessments at Industrial Sites, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania Designed and executed qualitative exposure assessments at industrial sites in the U.S., including crude oil and gas refineries, an agricultural chemical facility, and a thermoplastics manufacturer, which included walk-through evaluations of various units at the facilities, full-shift personal noise and VOC air monitoring, comprehensive employee interviews, and designation of employees into task-based similar exposure groups.

Hazard Communication Update for an Adhesives and Epoxy Manufacturer, New York Provided 5 weeks of onsite industrial hygiene support to advise on technical issues, assist with data entry, and communicate through supply chain to obtain product hazard information to assemble Globally Harmonized System-compliant safety data sheets (SDS) for an adhesives and epoxy manufacturer. Used ChemGes authoring software to draft and review SDS. Created and maintained an internal SDS management database to track revisions and communication with suppliers.

Human Health Risk Assessment

BPA Risk Assessment for Medical Device Use, New York Supported a human health risk assessment for bisphenol A (BPA) associated with the use of a laryngoscope by a medical professional. Sampling results were used to determine compliance with Proposition 65 consumer product regulations.

BPA Wipe Sampling following Use of Plastic Organizer, New York Managed a human health risk assessment for BPA associated with the typical consumer use of a plastic organizer product. Oversaw sampling of subjects’ hands following product handling to assess potential dermal exposure to BPA. Sampling results were used to determine compliance with Proposition 65 consumer product regulations.

Titanium Dioxide Exposure from Consumer Products and Risk of Lung Cancer, California Assessed the potential risk of lung cancer associated with the consumer use of cosmetic products containing titanium dioxide. Synthesized the available animal toxicological (including lung overload studies) and epidemiological literature for titanium dioxide. Evaluated current titanium dioxide hazard classifications and proposed no significant risk levels by various scientific agencies and investigators.

Risk Assessments of Trace Levels of Residual Chemicals in Phosphoric Acid, Georgia Conducted screening-level risk assessments for a variety of chemicals, including methyl tert-butyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutanol, isodecanol, isooctonal (isooctyl alcohol), isopropanol, methyl isobutyl carbinol, calcium chloride solution, calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, urea ammonia nitrate solution, propylene glycol methyl ether, hydrotreated heavy paraffinic petroleum distillates, 1-decene, diethylene glycol , calcium lignosulfonate, 1,4-butanediol, Kymene, lauryl-cetyl alcohol, diesel renewable hydrotreated vegetable oil, ammonium sulfate solution, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, urean, 2-BOE, ethanol mix, various allergens, fish oil, acrylonitrile, orthoxylene, and phenol in order to establish acceptable levels of residual chemical substances that may be present in trace amounts in aqueous 85 percent food grade phosphoric acid, and for the detection of any unexpected residual odor during occupational use of concentrated phosphoric acid in food processing and manufacturing. Reviewed and summarized relevant toxicological literature to compile chemical toxicity profiles to assess human health hazard.

Food Safety Risk Assessments, New York Performed food safety risk assessments for cumene, naphthalene, and 1,3-pentadiene present in various food products such as salad dressing, cashews, and a children’s flavored-water product to ascertain any potential health risks to consumers upon ingestion of these products.

Cadmium Wipe Sampling of Cylinder Saw and Risk Assessment, Washington, DC Performed a human health risk assessment for cadmium associated with the typical handling and use of cylinder saws. Conducted product sampling to assess potential cadmium exposure via dermal absorption, which was ultimately used to determine compliance with Proposition 65 consumer product regulations.

Epidemiology

Occupational Talc Exposure and Risk of Mesothelioma, Nationwide Performed a series of statistical power analyses, a time since first employment/latency analysis, and a confidence interval function analysis for various international cohorts of cosmetic talc miners and millers to elucidate the potential risk of mesothelioma among these workers.

Toxicology

Risk of Allergenicity of Fish Oil Supplement, New York Assessed allergenicity risk associated with the oils of various fish species among consumers who ingested a dietary supplement product.

Oral Reference Dose Derivation for Antimony, New York Derived an updated chronic oral reference dose (RfD) for antimony based on a comprehensive literature search of peer-reviewed animal toxicity studies of antimony and associated compounds that have been published since 1987, when EPA published the current chronic oral RfD for antimony.

Toxicity Review for Constituents of Electronic Cigarettes, New York Drafted comprehensive toxicological profiles for propylene glycol, ethyl acetate, monomethyl succinate, 4‑(4‑hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, beta-ionone, butyric acid, geranyl acetate, glycidol, methyl heptenone, acetic acid, glycidol, ethyl lactate, raspberry ketone, allyl hexanoate, and neryl acetate. Assisted with the creation of an online database by summarizing in vitro and in vivo studies that assess potential toxicity of liquids and aerosols associated with electronic cigarettes for FDA submission of Premarket Tobacco Applications.

Environmental Health Investigations

Causal Mapping of Community Disease Burden, Pennsylvania Conducted community-based health research alongside Dr. Edward Emmett, an occupational health physician, by aggregating and analyzing data, which were used to create a causal map of disease burden among the Chester, Pennsylvania, population that helped guide resource allocation for the implementation of public health intervention programs within the community.

Organization of Wastewater Data Associated with Fracking Activities, Pennsylvania Assisted EPA Region 3 Water Protection Division with the creation and administration of an online information repository for analytic results of wastewater generated during the hydraulic fracturing process (“fracking”) as part of EPA’s information management efforts related to Marcellus Shale development. Produced an informational brochure for the Public Information Center regarding EPA Region 3 operations.

Litigation Support

Sampling of Potential Asbestos-Containing Materials (Pizza Oven Stones), New York Oversaw the removal of two pizza oven stones from a New York City-based pizzeria. Coordinated with analytical laboratory to conduct bulk analysis for potential asbestos content of the stones.

Inspection of Potential Asbestos-Containing Materials (Audio Equipment), New York Inspected vintage sound system and audio equipment for potentially asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos Cement Exposure Review, Australia Reviewed literature and summarized exposure data associated with the handling and manipulation of asbestos cement products, such as corrugated roofing and pipe. Evaluated and commented on the industrial hygiene methodologies, such as sampling techniques (midget impinger vs. membrane filter) and sampling parameters (e.g., pump flow rate, ventilation rate, tools used, product type, chemical composition of product) utilized in various simulation studies describing these products and tasks. Compiled Australian occupational exposure limits for asbestos and asbestos use history from approximately 1960 until present.

Expert Witness and Support Role in Talc Litigation, Nationwide Provided expert witness testimony for historical exposures to cosmetic talcum powder products. Managed and/or provided litigation support for cases involving consumer exposures to cosmetic talcum powder products and occupational exposures to industrial talc. Reviewed and summarized literature regarding consumer exposures to cosmetic talcum products and occupational exposures to industrial talc to perform retrospective exposure assessments of these products under multiple-use scenarios.

State-of-the-Art Knowledge Reviews for Asbestos-Containing Materials, Nationwide Compiled state-of-the-art knowledge regarding OSHA respirator use requirements associated with the handling and manipulation of asbestos-containing products; the use of asbestos-containing components used on military aircrafts; and the use of anthophyllite asbestos-containing plastic pipe in chemical manufacturing facilities.

Expert Witness in Asbestos Litigation (Dental Products), Nationwide Reviewed literature and summarized exposure data associated with the use of different types of asbestos-containing dental products, including casting ring liner (dental tape) and periodontal dressing powder, to characterize potential exposures of dentists, dental technicians, and others who have historically used these products in occupational settings. Provided expert witness testimony for historical exposures to casting ring liner.

Formaldehyde Sampling of Compressed Wood Flooring Products, New Jersey Performed active and passive sampling of formaldehyde emissions associated with compressed wood flooring products in a residential setting.

Support Role in Safety Litigation (Welding), New York Provided litigation support for a case involving an industrial welding accident at a metal scrap and recycling company. Interpreted and assessed the applicability of OSHA regulations under this scenario.

Support Role in Asbestos Litigation (Friction), Nationwide Managed and/or provided litigation support for cases involving potential asbestos exposure associated with automotive, heavy-duty equipment, and forklift friction materials, including brakes, manual clutches, and gaskets. Reviewed asbestos literature related to brake, clutch, and gasket handling and manipulation, industrial hygiene and epidemiological data for mechanics, government regulations, and case-specific materials for the preparation of reports for use in expert testimony.

Support Role in Asbestos Litigation (Vermiculite), Nationwide Reviewed and organized corporate documents related to supply chain processes, industrial hygiene data, health and safety practices, and state-of-the-science knowledge regarding the production and use of vermiculite-containing consumer products. Managed and delegated project research tasks that were incorporated into client deliverables and internal resources.

Chromium Exposure from Dietary Supplement and Risk of Renal Cancer, New York Evaluated the potential risk of renal cancer following ingestion of chromium picolinate (containing trivalent chromium) supplements by a consumer. Researched risk factors associated with the development of renal cancer.

Heavy Metal Exposure from Baby Foods and Risk of ASD and ADHD, Nationwide Assessed the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children following ingestion of various baby food products, which have been reported to contain arsenic, lead, and mercury.

PFAS Community Health Risk Assessment, North Carolina Performed a community health risk assessment related to potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposures from drinking water for a variety of cancer and noncancer health outcomes. Assessed suitability of class designation.

Incidental Coal Ash Ingestion and Noncancer Health Effects, Florida Assessed the risk of various noncancer health claims from incidental ingestion of sea water potentially contaminated with a coal ash composite (containing arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) following release into the ocean.

Human Health Risk Assessment for Styrene, New York Assessed the risk of multiple myeloma following occupational exposure to styrene in the reinforced plastics industry by performing an exposure assessment. Reviewed the relevant toxicological and epidemiological literature associated with styrene. Incorporated carcinogenicity assessments of styrene by several regulatory bodies and other authoritative scientific organizations. Interpreted various SDS under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard over time and assessed employer responsibility.

Human Health Risk Assessment for Coal Ash, Puerto Rico Assisted with a human health risk assessment involving exposure to a coal ash product used as a daily cover for landfill. Compiled data characterizing the heavy metal content of the coal ash product and background levels of heavy metals in soils. Compared this heavy metals data to EPA’s Regional Soil Screening Levels and analyzed the data under multiple exposure scenarios.

Occupational Glyphosate Exposure and Risk of Cardiovascular Effects, Nationwide Conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify health effect estimates in epidemiological studies that evaluated the potential for cardiovascular effects following glyphosate exposure in various occupational cohorts, including farmers and pesticide applicators.

pH Sampling of Alkaline Water Products, Pennsylvania Collected samples from alkaline flavored-bottled water beverage products to analyze for pH following incidents of immediate, acute effects following ingestion.

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