Dr. William A. Heitbrink

An industrial hygienist with additional training and expertise in chemical engineering, statistics, aerosol science, and instrumentation. Conducts field research projects into the utility of controls for air contaminants in a variety of industries. This has resulted in over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, NIOSH technical reports, trade publications, and professional reports available from NTIS. In conducting these studies, expertise has been developed on novel methods of using aerosol instrumentation and statistics to identify sources of worker air contaminant exposure.

Nomination of CAPT William A. Heitbrink (USPHS #CAPT William A. Heitbrink)
for the U.S. Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal.

CAPT William A. Heitbrink is nominated for the PHS Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of a notable career spent at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). From 1978 through 2000, he has continuously led insightful research and field work in pursuit of NIOSH and PHS goals--the evaluation and documentation of engineering controls for controlling worker exposures to air contaminants. His work has had enormous national and international impact. The following examples illustrate the accomplished research CAPT Heitbrink has performed and the useful products developed in his role as a renowned national and international scientific researcher for NIOSH:

Most recently, CAPT Heitbrink has identified mortar removal as an excessive source of crystalline silica exposure, which poses a significant silicosis risk for the workers. His research documented exposures up to 100 times the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL). He developed a NIOSH Hazard ID alerting the occupational safety and health community to this source exposure. Quickly securing union assistance, he implemented a laboratory study of control measures for this task and conducted an experimental assessment of control measure performance. From these data, he developed control recommendations.

CAPT Heitbrink's technical leadership and research abilities have focused on cabin filtration systems to protect agricultural workers from pesticide spray mist and crystalline silica containing dusts. He devised a unique, quick means of testing cabin filtration on spray applications vehicles. On request, he used the testing methodas the basis to develop an American Society of Agricultural Engineers consensus standard, adopted in 1997 and accepted by regulatory agencies for compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Workplace Protection Standard. This testing method enabled two tractor manufacturers (John Deere and Nelson Manufacturing) to make products that have greatly reduced worker pesticide exposures. The NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory with CAPT Heitbrink applied the study findings to test surface mining industry vehicles to reduce respirable silica dust exposures.

CAPT Heitbrink partnered with two automotive manufacturers to study metal working fluids (mwf) and conditions for mist generation. He implemented a successful mwf engineering control program, which reduced exposures to less than 15% of the NIOSH REL for mwf mists, and his findings supported the feasibility of industry compliance with the REL. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) used his results in its rulemaking ona national standard for mwf exposures. His control recommendations have alleviated risks to thousands of mwf-exposed workers. He received a Unit Commendation for a criteria document on mwf.

CAPT Heitbrink led research to control air contaminants during auto body repair. He developed, documented, and disseminated information on effective control technology, affecting more than 200,000 auto body workers potentially exposed to many hazardous chemicals. CAPT Heitbrink developed four key components foreffective intervention: optimization of spray-painting gun technology, ventilated booths, respirator programs, and ventilated sanders. His research was so constructive that the EPA used his findings as the basis for a product stewardship agreement. Hisresulting article was awarded Best Paper of the Year for 1996 by the Engineering Committee of the American Industrial Health Association (AIHA).

In an interagency agreement with EPA, CAPT Heitbrink conducted research on the generation and control of aerosols from falling powders. His results showed that empirical dustiness tests and occupational dust exposures are not always correlated. Laboratory studies revealed that aerosol generation by falling powders involves several aerosol generation steps, followed by transport. This basic research led to a new way of thinking about the very notion of what dustiness is, but more importantly, about how to control it. This significant research led to an award, 'The Outstanding Aerosol Paper Award for 1993,'presented by the Aerosol Technology Committee of the AIHA and to a PHS Outstanding Service Medal in 1997. As a result, CAPT Heitbrink's findings have been used by EPA in conducting pre-notice of manufacturing reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

CAPT Heitbrink led field research in the rubber tire industry on effective controls for air contaminants, primarily cancer-causing chemicals such as nitrosamines. His technical report on the research gave practical control recommendations. The report continues to be the basis for training workers in occupational safety and health in the U.S. rubber tire industry. Because the report is so important, the industry translated it into Spanish to protect Latin American workers, as well.

For the past 29 years, CAPT Heitbrink has been not only a key leader in scientific research to reduce worker exposures to hazards but also an example to his co-workers and mentees. His research has been used by EPA and by OSHA. His over 100 publications have included diverse industries, affecting thousands of workers who manually handle toxic powders in making everyday products. He has participated in two World Health Organization (WHO) consultations and co-authored a WHO document on dust control. His expertly-led research has found practical, affordable, and effective recommendations that have significantly reduced workplace exposures to airborne chemicals. CAPT Heitbrink, without a doubt, has set a high standard in engineering industrial hygiene for innovative approaches to solving industrial hazards, particularly the control of airborne dusts. For his continuous leadership, scientific expertise, and contributions as a researcher, CAPT William A. Heitbrink receives the highest recommendation for the Meritorius Service Medal.

Cited for:
Continuous leadership, scientific expertise, and contributions as a researcher in the evaluation and documentation of engineering controls for controlling worker exposures to air contaminants.

The Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal was awarded in August of 2001.

I am intested in conducting research which reduces the hazards that workers face. Specific research projects include: control of silica exposures during construction, the use of cabin filtration systems to control operator exposures in agriculture, surface mining, construction and other industries. I have an interest in conducting research that supports the development of engineering standards.

My past research has addressed hazard control in the following industries: autobody repair, metal work and machining industries, agriculture, surface mining, and construction (masonry restroration). The details are described below:
In the autobody repair industry, I conducted a study of control measures addressing spray painting guns, respirator usage, types of spray painting booths, and ventilated standers. Study fundings were used by the EPA, the painting and coating industry, and the industry to further develop training materials, conctrol recommendations and product stewardsship programs.

For the masonry restoration industry, I have developed control recommendations which address the serious exposures to crystalline silica caused by mortar removal. In the future, I plan to study low-cost control measures in the near future.

In the mining and agriculture, I have developed testing procedures which have enabled tractor manufacturers to test and evaluate cabin filtration systems. This technology has also been used in the surface mining industry to control worker exposure to crystalline silica.