Rodney R. Larson, PhD, CIH

Dr. Larson

Assistant Professor, Industrial Hygiene - June 2004 to date: Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah
Develop and direct programs in academic, Professional continuing education, and research. Involved in all aspects of graduate student advising.
President, Larson International, Inc. - July 1990 to date: Provide professional services in industrial hygiene and env. toxicology/env. health sciences to government, academia and industry. Services include review programs for compliance with OSHA regulations, and provide guidance for programs such as hazard communication, hazardous chemicals (e.g., carcinogens, specific organ toxins, etc.), noise, radioisotopes, indoor air quality (biological, chemical, and physical concerns), ergonomics, etc. Conduct risk assessments for both industry and government groups. Also conduct compliance reviews for EPA=s TOSCA, SDWA, Clean Air Act, and regulated contaminant concerns; FDA; NRC; and DOT guidelines. Provide recommendations for emission/exposure controls; including engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and/or administrative controls; and Also function as a trainer, and as an expert witness.
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) - September, 1996 to December, 2001: Environmental Health Sciences (Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Toxicology)
Dissertation Research: Determined that existing monitoring methods for some antineoplastic (chemotherapy) agents were unacceptable. Conducted research on and developed acceptable methods for both air and surface monitoring of select antineoplastic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide). These methods included both unique methods for sample collection and for use of reverse-phase HPLC for analysis. Provided information on research and method development to NIOSH for their use in their future studies.
Assistant Professor, Environmental Eng., Texas A&M University-Kingsville - August 1991 to September, 1996: Developed and taught various graduate level courses in environmental sciences and engineering, including industrial toxicology, industrial hygiene, product safety/risk assessment, health & safety design (focus on design of ventilation systems), and environmental regulations (TSCA, RCRA, etc). Several courses were taught via computer/TV for distance learning, and some in collaboration with the Texas A&M-College Station program (Dr. J. Rock, Chair). Functioned as advisor to an average of 12 graduate environmental engineering students per term and provided them with guidance on course selection and on preparation of, and presentation of, thesis. Participated in HBCUMI (Historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions) training and awareness programs, and functioned as a member of the TAMU-K new curriculum review committee, and new Science and Lab Building committee. Assisted State of Texas on ozone, lead and asbestos issues, and assisted City of Corpus Christi on indoor air quality issues, and on compliance with ground level ozone issues.
Director, Industrial Hygiene Technology and Operations, EXXON BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES - September 1987 to July 1990: Managed three IH/EH support groups: Technology (IH Research Lab), Operations (IH Field Support), and Engineering/Systems (Engineering reviews and preparation of Guidance Documents). These three groups provided IH support to Exxon functions worldwide (approx 110,000 employees in 80 countries at that time). Responsibilities included communication with managers in other countries on occupational and environmental health issues of concern to them and methods for addressing their challenges. Coordinated and conducted compliance audits (compliance to both government regulations and company policy) at Exxon facilities around the world. Development and/or enhancement of monitoring methods, and preparation of guidelines/documentation. Participated in writing manuals on engineering controls and reviewed engineering plans for human and environmental protection. Organized and participated in cross-training programs to maintain communication and awareness of activities and capabilities between physicians, epidemiologists, toxicologists and industrial hygienists. Participated in coordination of Alaska oil spill and several other emergency response incidents.
Program Coordinator, Environmental Health and Industrial Hygiene, EXXON RESEARCH & ENGINEERING CO. - March 1984 to September 1987
Section Head, Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health, EXXON CHEMICAL AMERICAS - January 1978 to March 1984.
Environmental Engineer, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH - July 1972 to December 1977: Head of Public Water Supply program and Special Projects for the State of Illinois.
Professional Associations:: American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA);; Co-founder and Past President (1994-1996), Texas Coastal Bend Section, AIHA; Member of Risk Assessment Committee; Member of Toxicology Committee; Member, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH);; Member, Society of Toxicology (SOT)
Certification:: Certified by ABIH in Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene (CIH #3432)
Publications:: Macaluso, M., R. Larson, E. Delzell, N. Sathiakumar, M. Hovinga, J. Julian, D. Muir, and P. Cole: Leukemia and Cumulative Exposure to Butadiene, Styrene and Benzene Among Workers in the Synthetic Rubber Industry. Toxicology 113:190-202 (1996).; Delzell, E., N. Sathiakumar, M. Hovinga, M. Macaluso, J. Julian, R. Larson, P. Cole, and D.C.F. Muir: A Follow-up Study of Synthetic Rubber Workers. Toxicology 113: 182-189 (1996); Sathiakumar N., Delzell E., Amoateng-Adjepong Y., Larson R., Cole P.; Epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between mists containing sulfuric acid and respiratory tract cancer. [Review] [36 refs] [Journal Article. Review, Tutorial] Critical Reviews in Toxicology. 27(3):233-51, 1997 May.; Sathiakumar N., Delzell E., Hovinga M., Macaluso M., Julian JA., Larson R., Cole P., Muir DC.; Mortality from cancer and other causes of death among synthetic rubber workers. [Journal Article] Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 5(4):230-5, 1998; Larson R. R., Prepared and presented a poster for the 1998 UAB Cancer Center Research Retreat titled AUse of exposure estimation model in a occupational epidemiology study." October, 1998, Birmingham, AL; Larson R.R., Khazaeli M.B., Dillon H.K.; Monitoring method for surface contamination caused by selected antineoplastic agents. Am J Health-Syst Pharm Vol 59, Feb 1, 2002.; Larson R.R., Khazaeli M.B., Dillon H.K.; A new monitoring method for using solid sorbent media for evaluation of airborne cyclophosphamide and other antineoplastic agents. App Occ & Envir Hyg. Vol.18(2): 120-131, 2003; Larson R.R., Khazaeli M.B., Dillon H.K.; Development of an HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of five antineoplastic agents.@ App Occ & Envir Hyg. Vol.18(2): 109-119, 2003; Sathiakumar N., Delzell E., Cole P., Larson R.; Mortality among workers at a plastics manufacturing plant. [Journal Article] J. of Env. Med. 1: 241-248 (1999); Larson R.R., Macaluso M., Posey F., Tancous J., Yenna S., Atchison J.; Validity of methods for monitoring occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene. Submitted to ACGIH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.