19.1 The BGC Code of Ethics: Canons and Enforcement

CIH Certified Industrial Hygienist Exam

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1 Chapter 1: The CIH Exam and How to Use This Guide

1.1 CIH Exam Format, Scoring, and Test-Day Logistics 1.2 Eligibility, Application Windows, Fees, and Certification Maintenance 1.3 The BGC Blueprint, Subject Areas, and a Calculation-First Study Plan

2 Chapter 2: Basic Science & Calculations

2.1 Gas Laws and Vapor Calculations 2.2 Unit Conversions: ppm, mg/m³, and Standard Temperature/Pressure 2.3 Fluid Mechanics and Airflow Fundamentals

3 Chapter 3: Air Sampling & Instrumentation

3.1 Active and Passive Air Sampling Strategies 3.2 Particulate and Aerosol Sampling 3.3 Direct-Reading Instruments and Calibration

4 Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry & Lab Methods

4.1 Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry 4.2 High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Ion Chromatography 4.3 Spectroscopy and Elemental Analysis 4.4 Gravimetric, Microscopy, and Wet Chemical Methods 4.5 Laboratory Quality Assurance, Chain of Custody, and Desorption Efficiency

5 Chapter 5: Biostatistics & Epidemiology

5.1 Lognormal Distributions and Exposure Data Statistics 5.2 Upper Confidence Limits (UCL95) and Compliance Decision Rules 5.3 Epidemiological Study Designs and Measures of Association 5.4 Sampling Strategy: Sample Size, Power, and Worker Selection

6 Chapter 6: Toxicology & Biological Monitoring

6.1 Dose-Response Relationships and Points of Departure 6.2 Toxicokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination 6.3 Aerosol Deposition, Clearance, and Respiratory Tract Dosimetry 6.4 Hepatic, Renal, Neurologic, and Hematologic Target Organ Toxicity 6.5 Pulmonary Toxicology, Carcinogenicity, and Reproductive Hazards 6.6 OEL Frameworks, Classifications, and Excursion Limits 6.7 Chemical Mixtures and Extended Work-Shift OEL Adjustments 6.8 Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) and Biomonitoring

7 Chapter 7: Biohazards & Indoor Environmental Quality

7.1 Mold, Fungi, and Microbial Contaminants 7.2 Infectious Agents, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Biosafety Levels 7.3 Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Investigations 7.4 Sanitation, Potable Water, and Personal Hygiene Programs

8 Chapter 8: Community Exposure & Environmental Health

8.1 Clean Air Act Framework, NAAQS, and New Source Review 8.2 Hazardous Air Pollutants, CEMS, and EPA Reference Methods 8.3 Atmospheric Stability, Lapse Rates, and Plume Morphology 8.4 Gaussian Plume Modeling, Plume Rise, and Environmental Fate 8.5 HAZWOPER Scope, Mandates, and Training Tiers 8.6 Protection Levels, Site Zoning, Incident Command, and Decontamination 8.7 Water Pollution, Hazardous Waste, and Community Right-to-Know

9 Chapter 9: Health Risk Analysis & Hazard Communication

9.1 GHS Hazard Classification: Health and Physical Hazard Criteria 9.2 GHS Labels, Safety Data Sheets, and Trade Secret Rules 9.3 The AIHA Exposure Assessment Strategy and Similar Exposure Groups 9.4 Qualitative Exposure Profiling and the AIHA Risk Matrix 9.5 Quantitative Health Risk Characterization: HQ, HI, and ELCR 9.6 NIOSH Occupational Exposure Banding 9.7 Risk Communication and Reporting to Affected Parties

10 Chapter 10: Industrial Ventilation Principles & LEV Design

10.1 Elimination, Substitution, Isolation, Containment, and Process Change 10.2 LEV Hood Taxonomy and Capture Velocity Selection 10.3 Hood Airflow Equations, Entry Losses, and Hood Static Pressure 10.4 Particulate Transport Aerodynamics and Duct Sizing 10.5 Duct Friction, Fitting Losses, and System Balancing 10.6 Fan Categories and Pressure Dynamics Across the Fan 10.7 System Curves, the Fan Laws, and Density Corrections

11 Chapter 11: General Ventilation, Air Cleaning & Diagnostics

11.1 Dilution Ventilation Principles and Steady-State Modeling 11.2 Transient Purging and Air Distribution Geometry 11.3 Particulate Air Cleaning: Cyclones, Baghouses, Scrubbers, and ESPs 11.4 Gaseous Emission Control and Air Cleaner Selection 11.5 Ventilation System Troubleshooting and Testing

12 Chapter 12: Noise Measurement & Hearing Conservation

12.1 Acoustic Physics and Decibel Mathematics 12.2 Sound Propagation, Octave Bands, and Frequency Weighting 12.3 Noise Dose Metrics and OSHA versus ACGIH Criteria 12.4 Exchange Rates, Extended Shifts, and Dosimetry Field Protocols 12.5 Engineering Noise Controls and Hearing Protector Attenuation 12.6 Hearing Conservation Programs and Standard Threshold Shifts 12.7 Hand-Arm and Whole-Body Vibration

13 Chapter 13: Thermal Stress Assessment & Control

13.1 Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and Heat Stress Indices 13.2 Heat-Related Disorders, Acclimatization, and Work/Rest Regimens 13.3 Cold Stress Evaluation and Wind Chill

14 Chapter 14: Ionizing Radiation Protection

14.1 Ionizing Radiation Physics and Radioactive Decay Kinetics 14.2 Radiation Units, Radiobiology, and Health Effects 14.3 ALARA, Stay-Time, and the Inverse Square Law 14.4 Shielding Physics, Material Selection, and Gamma Constants 14.5 Radiation Detection Instruments and Spectrometry 14.6 Personnel Dosimetry, Dose Limits, and Contamination Surveys

15 Chapter 15: Non-Ionizing Radiation & Laser Safety

15.1 The Non-Ionizing Spectrum and Static/ELF Field Exposures 15.2 Radiofrequency and Microwave Exposure: SAR, Standards, and Surveys 15.3 Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared Radiation Hazards 15.4 Laser Safety Classifications and Optical Density Calculations 15.5 Illumination, Lighting Design, and Visual Performance

16 Chapter 16: Non-Engineering Controls & Personal Protective Equipment

16.1 Respiratory Protection Programs and Assigned Protection Factors 16.2 Maximum Use Concentration, Oxygen Deficiency, and Breathing Air 16.3 Particulate Filters, Sorbent Cartridges, and Change Schedules 16.4 Respirator Fit Testing Protocols 16.5 Chemical Protective Clothing and Dermal Exposure Control

17 Chapter 17: Ergonomics & Workstation Design

17.1 Soft-Tissue Biomechanics and WMSD Pathophysiology 17.2 Ergonomic Risk Factors and Their Interaction Effects 17.3 The Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation 17.4 RULA, REBA, the Strain Index, and the ACGIH HAL TLV 17.5 Anthropometry and Workstation Geometry 17.6 VDT Workstations, Hand Tool Design, and Administrative Ergonomics

18 Chapter 18: Work Environments & Industrial Processes

18.1 Welding Fume Emissions, Metal Fume Fever, and Cr(VI)/Manganese Toxicology 18.2 Foundry Operations and Hot Work Fire Prevention 18.3 Vapor Degreasing, Pickling, Electroplating, and Cyanide Baths 18.4 Spray Coatings, Isocyanates, and Semiconductor Manufacturing 18.5 Confined Spaces and High-Hazard Industrial Operations 18.6 Asbestos, Lead, and Silica: Regulated Substance Programs 18.7 Abrasive Blasting and Surface Preparation

19 Chapter 19: IH Program Management & Professional Ethics

19.1 The BGC Code of Ethics: Canons and Enforcement 19.2 Professional Liability, Standard of Care, and Expert Testimony 19.3 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (ISO 45001, ANSI Z10) 19.4 Exposure Records Access and Medical Surveillance 19.5 OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Enforcement

19.1 The BGC Code of Ethics: Canons and Enforcement

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The BGC Code of Ethics is enforceable against the credential: violations can result in reprimand, suspension, or revocation of certification.

The overriding canon is to hold paramount the health and safety of workers and the public — this outranks obligations to an employer or client whenever they conflict.

CIHs must practise only within their areas of competence, disclose conflicts of interest, avoid conduct that discredits the profession, and neither misrepresent their credential nor imply BGC endorsement of products or services.

Ethics cases are handled under the BGC Ethics Case Procedures, which provide notice, an opportunity to respond, and an appeal, and applicants must document at least two contact hours of ethics coursework.

Last updated: August 2026

The BGC Code of Ethics: Canons and Enforcement

Industrial hygiene is an applied scientific profession entrusted with protecting the health, well-being, and lives of workers and the public. Because industrial hygienists evaluate complex physical, chemical, and biological environments, interpret ambiguous toxicological data, and recommend costly engineering and organizational controls, the profession requires unwavering ethical integrity. Certified Industrial Hygienists ( CIHs ) and candidates credentialed by the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) —formerly known as the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) —are held to the highest standards of professional conduct.

For the CIH examination, candidates must master the Joint AIHA-ACGIH-BGC Member Ethical Principles , the five Fundamental Canons , the formal disciplinary complaint and hearing mechanisms, professional liability concepts, and the ethical rules governing consulting, confidentiality, and expert witness testimony.

1. The BGC Ethical Architecture & Fundamental Canons

The BGC Code of Ethics establishes enforceable ethical standards for all CIHs, Certified Associate Industrial Hygienists (CAIHs), and active examination candidates. The code is rooted in the principle that technical competence without ethical integrity is hazardous to worker health. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

• | THE FIVE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS OF ETHICS |
• +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
• | |
• | CANON 1: Practice professional industrial hygiene only in the |
• | areas of one's competence. |
• | |
• | CANON 2: Maintain the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, |
• | and professional competence; avoid conflicts of interest. |
• | |
• | CANON 3: Hold paramount the health and safety of workers and the |
• | public in the performance of professional duties. |
• | |
• | CANON 4: Maintain confidentiality of client and employer information |
• | unless authorized or required by law or imminent peril. |
• | |
• | CANON 5: Act with honesty and truthfulness in all representations, |
• | credentials, professional activities, and advertising. |
• +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
• Canon 1: Competence and Scope of Practice

Rule 1.1 — Defined Boundaries: Industrial hygienists shall undertake only those assignments for which they are qualified by education, training, and experience.

Rule 1.2 — Technical Assistance: When a project involves complex sub-disciplines outside the practitioner's competence (e.g., ionizing radiation shielding design, complex computational fluid dynamics for ventilation, specialized microbiological risk assessment), the CIH must seek the assistance of qualified experts or advise the client/employer to retain specialized consultants.

Rule 1.3 — Professional Development: CIHs must maintain technical competence through continuous professional development, earning necessary Certification Maintenance ( CM ) points every five-year recertification cycle.

Canon 2: Integrity, Objectivity, and Conflicts of Interest

Rule 2.1 — Scientific Objectivity: Professional opinions, exposure assessments, and recommendations must be based on sound scientific principles, accurate sampling methodologies, and objective interpretation of empirical data, free from outside influence or commercial pressure.

Rule 2.2 — Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Practitioners must promptly disclose to all affected parties any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. A CIH cannot accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for the same service unless all parties fully consent in writing after complete disclosure.

Rule 2.3 — Prohibited Financial Inducements: A CIH must not solicit or accept financial or other valuable considerations (kickbacks, finder's fees, rebates) from equipment vendors, remediation contractors, or analytical laboratories in exchange for specifying their products or services.

Rule 2.4 — Independent Judgment: Practitioners must resist client or employer pressure to alter sampling results, suppress unfavorable exposure data, or modify risk conclusions to avoid regulatory citations or capital expenditure.

Canon 3: Paramount Obligation to Health and Safety

The Primacy of Life and Health: Canon 3 is the foundational canon of the industrial hygiene profession. Whenever a conflict arises between commercial considerations, corporate profits, client confidentiality, and the health of workers or the public, health and safety must always prevail .

Duty to Warn / Duty to Disclose: If a CIH identifies an unaddressed hazard that poses an imminent danger of death, serious physical harm, irreversible illness, or significant public exposure, the practitioner must:

Immediately inform the responsible employer, site manager, or client in writing, articulating the hazard, the exposure magnitude, and the immediate corrective actions required.

If the client or employer refuses to take corrective action and the condition poses an imminent life-safety hazard, the CIH's ethical obligation extends to notifying appropriate regulatory authorities (e.g., OSHA, EPA, local public health) or affected workers, overriding standard non-disclosure agreements.

Canon 4: Confidentiality and Proprietary Information

Protection of Business Information: Industrial hygienists must not reveal confidential business information, manufacturing trade secrets, or proprietary formulations acquired in the course of professional engagement without prior explicit consent.

Exceptions to Confidentiality: Confidentiality is not absolute and must yield under two specific circumstances:

Compulsion by Law: Valid court orders, administrative subpoenas, or mandatory statutory reporting requirements.

Imminent Peril: Where disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily harm, or catastrophic public exposure (reconciled directly with Canon 3).

Canon 5: Truthfulness, Credentials, and Public Representation

Truth in Advertising and Credentials: CIHs must not misrepresent their academic degrees, professional credentials, board certifications, or specialized capabilities. The title "Certified Industrial Hygienist" and the suffix "CIH" may be used only by individuals whose certification is active, in good standing, and validated by BGC.

Misleading Statements: Practitioners must not issue false, misleading, exaggerated, or deceptive statements regarding their qualifications, past project successes, or the efficacy of recommended controls.

Reporting Ethical Violations: CIHs have an affirmative duty to report known or suspected violations of the BGC Code of Ethics by other credential holders or candidates to the BGC Ethics Review Committee.

2. Summary Comparison of Ethical Canons

Canon Core Mandate Prohibited Conduct Operational CIH Action

Canon 1: Competence Undertake work only within proven qualifications. Designing complex LEV or radiation systems without domain expertise. Engage qualified specialists; obtain peer review; maintain active CM points.

Canon 2: Integrity & Conflicts Provide objective, unbiased scientific judgment; disclose conflicts. Accepting vendor kickbacks; editing reports to appease clients. Provide full written disclosure of dual relationships; refuse contingency fees.

Canon 3: Public & Worker Health Hold worker and public health paramount above all else. Suppressing elevated air sampling data; ignoring IDLH conditions. Issue immediate written warnings; escalate to regulatory bodies if ignored.

Canon 4: Confidentiality Safeguard client trade secrets and proprietary data. Leaking manufacturing formulas to competitors or the public. Maintain strict document security; breach confidentiality only for imminent hazard or court order.

Canon 5: Truthful Credentials Represent qualifications, data, and credentials with complete honesty. Claiming active CIH status while suspended; falsifying sampling logs. Use proper credential designations; submit accurate CM audits; report fraud.

3. BGC Ethics Enforcement and Disciplinary Procedures

The BGC maintains a structured, due-process-driven disciplinary framework to investigate complaints against certificants and candidates. This process balances accountability with administrative fairness. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

• | BGC ETHICS DISCIPLINARY WORKFLOW |
• +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
• | |
• | [ COMPLAINT SUBMISSION ] |
• | - Written, signed complaint detailing specific Code violations |
• | - Submitted by client, employee, peer, or member of the public |
• | | |
• | v |
• | [ PRELIMINARY SCREENING REVIEW ] |
• | - Conducted by Ethics Officer / Screening Committee |
• | - Evaluates: Jurisdiction, standing, and prima facie evidence |
• | - Options: Dismiss as frivolous / lack of merit OR Open Formal Case |
• | | |
• | v (If substantiated) |
• | [ FORMAL INVESTIGATION & CHARGES ] |
• | - Formal Statement of Charges served to Respondent |
• | - Respondent given 30 days to submit written response & evidence |
• | | |
• | v |
• | [ EVIDENTIARY HEARING PANEL ] |
• | - Independent Hearing Panel appointed by BGC Board |
• | - Both parties present evidence, witnesses, and legal counsel |
• | - Standard of proof: Preponderance of the Evidence |
• | | |
• | v |
• | [ DISCIPLINARY SANCTION DETERMINATION ] |
• | - Reprimand | Censure | Probation | Suspension | Revocation |
• | | |
• | v (Within specified appeal window) |
• | [ APPEALS BOARD REVIEW ] |
• | - Evaluates procedural errors, bias, or new decisive evidence |
• | - Final, binding administrative decision |
• +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
• The Hierarchy of Disciplinary Sanctions

When a violation of the BGC Code of Ethics is sustained by the Hearing Panel, sanctions are imposed based on severity, intent, harm caused, and prior disciplinary history:

Ineligible for Certification: Prohibits an applicant or exam candidate from sitting for the CIH examination for a specified period or permanently.

Private Reprimand: A formal, confidential written letter of rebuke issued to the certificant for minor, non-willful infractions that caused no direct harm to worker health.

Public Censure: A formal, published reprimand. The certificant's name, violation details, and sanction are published in official BGC publications and website registries, though the credential remains active.

Probation: The certificant retains certification subject to specific terms (e.g., peer review of all industrial hygiene reports, mandatory additional continuing education, supervision by another CIH) for a designated timeframe.

Suspension: Temporary revocation of the CIH credential for a defined period (e.g., 1 to 5 years). The individual is legally and ethically prohibited from using the "CIH" designation, marketing themselves as certified, or signing reports as a CIH during the suspension window. Reinstatement may require re-examination.

Revocation: Permanent termination of the CIH credential. The individual is barred from using the CIH title, stripped of board certification, and published on the permanent BGC revocation registry.