Guest guest Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Hello Group: Stacey, good comments. I pulled the following out of the dusty files of 2-3 years ago when many of us debated the "cert game." Thought I'd resubmit these thoughts because they are once again relevant. Remember my feable attempt at convincing all of us that there are no experts in IAQ? Read again. It fits! Miles Athey QUALIFICATIONS OF AN INDOOR AIR INVESTIGATOR 1. Indoor air quality is not a science. It is all the sciences, engineering, and architectural disciplines combined with some medical knowledge, a little psychology , years of practical experience and a lot of common sense. 2. You don=t learn to be a good indoor air professional in classrooms or training seminars. Single disciplined students with advanced degrees are of limited value in solving the complexities and unpredictable nature of indoor air quality issues. 3. You learn how to deal with indoor air quality problems by years of hands-on practice as an understudy to experienced professionals on every conceivable problem. Then, when you think you=ve seen it all, a new challenge arises, usually when and where you least expect it. 4. This business keeps you humble and always learning. In other words, you never master it, you never become an expert! THE BANE OF IAQ CERTIFICATIONS 1. Certifications in indoor air quality give the public a false sense of confidence in those certified. 2. Most certifications can be gained by individuals with only a few year=s actual field experience in a three day course which is more academic than practical. 3. Certifications propagate a myth that these individuals are experts, and as such, misrepresent the real nature and complexity of most indoor air quality issues. 4. To those knowledgeable in this profession, someone with a certification raises a red flag that asks, Adoes he actually have the experience needed to solve the problem or did he just pass an exam?@ 5. All too often, the consequences are that the public gets an expensive lesson in snooker and our profession gets an ever-widening black eye. Miles Athey, PhD ACS Ritzville, WA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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