IEMES, P.S.C.
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Carmen's Fundamentals in Industrial Ventilation Course Review

6/18/2025

 
Dates: June 2–6, 2025
Organized by: ACGIH®
Instructors: Dr. Sergio A. Caporali Filho, Dr. Rafael Sartim, Eng. Kirt Boston
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During the week of June 2–6, 2025, I had the valuable opportunity to participate in the Fundamentals in Industrial Ventilation course, organized by ACGIH®, one of the most prestigious organizations in the field of occupational health. This training program brought together professionals from various disciplines with the goal of strengthening foundational knowledge in the design, evaluation, and troubleshooting of industrial ventilation systems, critical for protecting the health of workers exposed to airborne contaminants.
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The course was led by three highly accomplished instructors:
  • Dr. Sergio A. Caporali Filho, with over 25 years of experience in ventilation and industrial hygiene, offered a practical and clear perspective on the design and optimization of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems.
  • Dr. Rafael Sartim, a specialist in computational fluid dynamics, emphasized the importance of understanding airflow behavior in complex systems through simulations and analytical tools.
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  • Kirt Boston, with more than three decades in the filtration industry, shared key insights on dust collector performance and efficient design strategies, based on his hands-on experience.
Core topics covered included:
  • Principles of static pressure, velocity, and volumetric airflow
  • Evaluation of pressure losses in ducts and components such as hoods, elbows, dampers, among others
  • Calculation and balancing of branches in LEV systems
  • Measurement techniques and data interpretation
  • Troubleshooting and problem-solving in ventilation systems

A key element of the course was teamwork, through hands-on group exercises. This dynamic not only enabled participants to apply the concepts learned but also promoted the exchange of experiences among colleagues from various industries, enriching the learning process and strengthening collaborative skills.

In summary, the knowledge gained from this training has significantly enhanced our capabilities as occupational health and safety professionals, enabling us to offer more robust and well-founded technical solutions for industrial environments while encouraging a culture of effective prevention and technical collaboration.
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I am deeply grateful for the instructors' dedication and the collaborative learning environment fostered throughout the course. Without a doubt, this experience reaffirms our commitment to technical excellence and continuous professional development.

Supporting Future Leaders in Waste Management: A Collaboration with University of Richmond Students

6/2/2025

 
At CHESIEMES Group, we believe in the power of education and collaboration across all levels. That’s why we were excited to recently support a group of sophomore students from the University of Richmond, Jasmin Aberle and Emerson de Leon Álvarez working on a project for their biology class titled "Pollution & Waste Management in Puerto Rico."
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As part of their research, the students explored the complexities of waste management on the island, analyzing environmental hazards such as open dumping, landfill overcapacity, limited recycling, and the presence of hazardous materials. They also explored the challenges of enforcement and funding at both local and federal levels.

In their efforts to deepen their understanding, they reached out to Kristyn Oldendorf of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and highlighted her insights on ongoing education efforts, pollution awareness strategies, and the emerging risks associated with PFAS. This was particularly meaningful to us, as our own team has been involved in founding and actively supporting the SWANA Caribbean Chapter and many of the educational initiatives she referenced.

Their presentation also highlighted our firm’s recent participation in Puerto Rico’s Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Plan as well as our ongoing efforts in capacity-building and sustainability through projects like Educating Educators on Technology and Climate Resilience.

We're proud to share their work and to know that the next generation of environmental professionals is actively engaging with real-world issues. You can view their full presentation here: 
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    Authors

    Fernando L. Rodríguez, PE, SC
    Hanna Rodríguez Morales, PE, SC
    Carmen M. Figueroa, PE, SC

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