Hello everyone! I’m Celeste, RHP Risk Management’s environmental health sciences intern for the summer of 2025. As part of this internship, I joined Allison, Betty, Kiana, Rod, and Frank in the Chicago office in the applied risk sciences group. Aptly named, this summer included a ton of hands-on experience! Overall, I contributed to four different types of occupational exposure assessments.
In this blog post, I’ll outline each of these experiences, as well as some of the office side-work I completed.
Office Experiences
Learning IHDA Software
I started off my time at RHP by taking a module driven course on Bayesian statistical methods for analyzing exposure assessment field data. Through this program I learned three different statistical software tools that can help transform results into informed decisions and recommendations. Since, without the help of these methods, people tend to underestimate exposure levels, learning this software was both informative and critical. After becoming familiar with Bayesian statistical methods for exposure and risk assessment, I sat for the AIHA registry exam and passed! I am now officially certified by the AIHA to conduct exposure decision analysis.
Proposal + Report Writing
One of my main goals for growth this summer at RHP was to become more familiar with the business side of environmental health consulting. Luckily, Allison took the time to mentor me through the proposal and report writing processes. After a few guided write ups, I became familiar with the style of writing, and what each document is expected to contain. Soon, I became confident in both proposal and report writing and discovered I quite like working in this format!
Field Experiences
Fume Hood Assessments
Starting in my second week, I was already invited to shadow assessments out in the field. Betty and I headed out to a nearby research lab and warehouse to conduct fume hood assessments. Though I had never experienced these firsthand before, Betty walked me through what measurements to take of the fume hood dimensions, how to use the TSI VelociCalc, and the range of values needed for passing criteria. I very much enjoyed being in the field and working with data directly. Unfortunately, all but one of the fume hoods did not pass.
However, to my surprise, many of the lab staff were rather pleased with this outcome as they had been asking for ventilation upgrades for years. With our data and input, they were hopeful that the expense of separating the motor for each fume hood would finally be approved. Back in the office, I summarized our data and provided recommendations in keeping with the outcome of the fume hood assessments. This was particularly exciting because I got to participate in the full range of a consultant’s work.
Quantitative Fit Testing
The biggest field project I participated in during my internship was qualitative fit testing. Over 500 employees at a nearby factory needed to be tested to ensure the respirators they use effectively filter their breathing air. Spanning six days with multiple RHP staff on site, I became comfortable with qualitative fit testing. To outline, qualitative fit testing generally follows a procedure of 1) spraying a diluted solution of a test solution into a hood worn by the participant without the respirator for sensitivity screening before 2) conducting a seven-minute evaluation, this time with a respirator. This experience was not only a personally valuable but also interpersonally valuable experience. During these shifts I got the chance to speak more with my coworkers, senior staff, and associates alike. One striking feature shared by everyone was a deep sense of teamwork. Everyone was eager to take on participants, ensuring that the work remained relatively equally split. Beyond this, I gained more insight into the workings of a large industrial corporation by frequently engaging with the site contact. Though the taste of the test agent was pervasive, I thoroughly enjoyed this field experience.
Conclusions
My internship at RHP was incredibly helpful for preparing me for my (soon to be) entry into the industry. With each office and field experience, I learned a new environmental health consulting skill. While in the office, I became officially certified to conduct exposure decision analysis, something I am eager to advertise as I enter the industry. Furthermore, I learned an entirely new style of writing, particularly useful in the consulting industry. Now I feel well equipped to assist with the business side of a consultant’s work. I also received a ton of hands-on experience with various industrial hygiene assessments. Not only am I trained in how to use a VelociCalc, PortaCalc, and QualFit, but I also know the significance of each numerical output. With this training and knowledge, I can accurately provide safety recommendations.
RHP staff were incredible mentors. Not only was everyone in the office welcoming, but they were also willing to take the time to answer my questions – even going above and beyond by reviewing my resume! I feel grateful that I had the chance to work with so many top professionals in the environmental and industrial fields. My summer at RHP will not soon be forgotten. – Celeste