IBEC - The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium

06/03/2025

Join IBEC today!

Advance your career + move indoor health forward for all: weareibec.org/become-a-member/

03/27/2025

The day has arrived! Today, as part of our ongoing CLEAN Lessons Learned series focused on worker safety and infectious disease preparedness, we’ll explore critical strategies for mitigating H5N1 risks in high-exposure workplaces.

This session will reshape our approach to biosecurity and occupational health, emphasizing how proactive measures can protect frontline workers from avian influenza.

Learn from leading experts from the European Center for Disaster Medicine (CEMEC), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and more.

Together, we’ll bridge the gap between current safety protocols and the solutions needed to strengthen worker protection and outbreak response efforts.

Sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Grab one of the last spots available: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

Join IBEC’s CLEAN Lessons Learned Session on March 27th at 4 PM EST to explore H5N1 avian influenza and worker safety. Learn from leading experts as they discuss biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols to protect frontline workers. Register now to be part o...

03/26/2025

Continuing our dialogue in the CLEAN Lessons Learned series on worker safety and infectious disease preparedness, tomorrow’s session will focus on practical strategies for mitigating H5N1 risks in high-exposure workplaces.

Our expert panel will explore biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols to protect frontline workers.

Join us to contribute to a collaborative discussion aimed at strengthening worker protection and outbreak response efforts.

Sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Final call to join us: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

Join IBEC’s CLEAN Lessons Learned Session on March 27th at 4 PM EST to explore H5N1 avian influenza and worker safety. Learn from leading experts as they discuss biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols to protect frontline workers. Register now to be part o...

03/25/2025

Protect those on the frontlines. Join us on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST for the next session of our CLEAN Lessons Learned series, where we’ll explore the critical challenges of H5N1 avian influenza and worker safety.

Our expert panel will discuss biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols to safeguard high-risk workers, including poultry workers, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals.

Sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Grab your seat: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/24/2025

Our CLEAN Lessons Learned series is dedicated to protecting worker health by addressing emerging occupational safety challenges, including infectious disease risks like H5N1 avian influenza.
Join us on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST as we explore effective strategies for mitigating H5N1 risks in high-exposure workplaces. Learn how biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols can safeguard workers on the frontlines.

Sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Secure your spot: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/21/2025

Join us as we continue exploring worker safety and infectious disease preparedness in our CLEAN Lessons Learned series on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST.

Gain insights into practical strategies for mitigating H5N1 risks in high-exposure workplaces. Learn how biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols can protect frontline workers, including poultry workers, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals.

Proudly sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Join us for this educational series: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/20/2025

Join us for the sixth installment of our CLEAN Lessons Learned series, focused on worker safety and the risks of H5N1 avian influenza. Explore strategies to protect frontline workers and mitigate biosecurity risks in our next session on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST.

Gain insights from a distinguished panel of experts, including leaders from the European Center for Disaster Medicine (CEMEC), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. This session will offer an engaging discussion on occupational health, surveillance strategies, and real-world outbreak response measures to safeguard high-risk workers.

Proudly sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Join the conversation: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/19/2025

How can we better protect frontline workers from H5N1 avian influenza? The answer lies in enhanced biosecurity, surveillance, and occupational safety strategies.
Join us on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST as we explore advanced strategies for mitigating H5N1 risks in high-exposure workplaces.

This session will bridge scientific research with real-world applications, ensuring stronger protections for poultry workers, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals facing the threat of avian influenza.

Our expert panel will feature leaders from the European Center for Disaster Medicine (CEMEC), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and more, each offering a wealth of expertise in infectious disease control, biosecurity, and occupational health.

This event is proudly sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Session details: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/18/2025

Are frontline workers protected from the risks of H5N1 avian influenza? With ongoing concerns about zoonotic disease transmission, it’s crucial to understand the impact on worker safety and how to mitigate risks effectively.

Join us on March 27th at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST for a pivotal session in our CLEAN Lessons Learned series. Discover strategies to protect workers in high-risk sectors like poultry farming, veterinary services, and wildlife management, and explore the latest advancements in biosecurity, surveillance, and occupational health protocols.

Engage with top experts from the European Center for Disaster Medicine (CEMEC), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture as they share invaluable insights into real-world outbreak responses and best practices for worker protection.

This session is proudly sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

🔗 Learn more: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/14/2025

Join us for the sixth installment of our CLEAN Lessons Learned series, happening on March 27th, 2025, at 4:00 PM EDT / March 28th at 7:00 AM AEST.

In this session, brought to you by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium (IBEC), we’ll explore the challenges of H5N1 avian influenza and its impact on worker safety.

Our expert panel will discuss biosecurity risks, surveillance strategies, and occupational health protocols to protect those on the frontlines—including poultry workers, veterinarians, and wildlife handlers.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in infectious disease management and occupational safety on how to mitigate H5N1 risks effectively.

🔗 Full details: https://weareibec.org/events/h5n1-avian-influenza/

03/06/2025

🌬️ Wax Melts May Be Worse for Indoor Air Quality Than Candles, Study Finds 🕯️

A new Purdue University study reveals that scented wax melts release more air pollutants than candles—with emissions comparable to gas stoves and diesel engines. 🚨

🔬 Key Findings:
✅ Scented wax melts release high levels of nanoparticles & VOCs, which can cause lung inflammation & cardiovascular issues
✅ Poor ventilation increases exposure to these pollutants
✅ Unscented wax melts did not produce harmful emissions
✅ Experts recommend air purifiers, ventilation, & fragrance-free alternatives

With growing concerns over indoor air pollution, experts stress that all scented products—candles, diffusers, cleaners—can release harmful chemicals. If you have asthma or respiratory sensitivities, limiting use in small or poorly ventilated spaces is advised.

📖 Read more: https://www.health.com/wax-melts-indoor-air-pollution-11684728

New research found that wax melts, considered safer for air quality than candles, actually release as many air pollutants as gas stoves and car engines. Here's what experts recommend to keep the air in your home pure.

03/06/2025

💊 New Norovirus Vaccine Pill Shows Promise as Cases Reach Record High 🚨

A groundbreaking norovirus vaccine pill could soon offer protection against the highly contagious winter vomiting bug, as trials show promising results in older adults.

🔬 Key Findings:
✅ Generates strong norovirus-specific antibodies in the gut
✅ Antibodies remain active for at least six months
✅ Potentially protects against all norovirus strains
✅ Could be available in just a few years

With over 1,160 hospitalizations daily in England due to norovirus, experts stress the importance of prevention. Until the vaccine is available, proper hygiene—handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and staying home when sick—remains the best defense.

📖 Read more: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/health/14444870/new-norovirus-vaccine-pill-winter-wave-not-over/

WHILE norovirus still circulates at high levels, a new pill designed to protect against the winter vomiting bug has been undergoing trials. Just two weeks ago there was a record number of patients …