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Join IAQ Radio+ for Episode 787 as we welcome Dr. Joe Spurgeon for Life & Times: A Career in Research, Field Investigations & Expert Testimony. From government research and laboratory leadership to environmental health assessments and indoor air quality investigations, Dr. Spurgeon has built a distinguished career spanning multiple disciplines. We’ll explore his experiences investigating water intrusion and microbial contamination, teaching mold investigation and sampling methods, interpreting data, and serving as an expert witness in mold litigation. Learn from a career at the intersection of science, public health, field investigations, and expert testimony—this week on IAQ Radio+!   Joe Spurgeon, PHD, has a multidisciplinary doctorate degree in Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Health from the University of Pittsburgh; and was a Certified Industrial Hygienist from 1993 – 2013. His career has included working as a research chemist on the NBS Lead-Paint Poisoning Program, directing the FAA’s Combustion Toxicology Laboratory, performing Health Assessments for CDC/ATSDR, implementing US EPA’s Laboratory Exposure Assessment Project, and working as a consultant specializing in microbial indoor air quality for US PHS. He has performed numerous residential and commercial investigations involving water intrusions and microbial contaminants; has taught courses on mold investigations, sampling, and data interpretation methods; and has served as an expert witness in numerous mold cases. His books are available at http://expertonmold.com/

Jason Earle is an indoor air quality entrepreneur who has worked in the indoor environmental field since 2002. His interest began with his own childhood experience with severe asthma and allergies in a mold-affected home, leading to a career investigating the relationship between buildings and health.   Jason pioneered the use of mold-detection dogs and spent 18 years in the field conducting building assessments and remediation consulting through his company, GOT MOLD?.    More recently, he co-developed AirTrap with air-sampling pioneer Dan Baxter and Apacor. AirTrap was designed to improve the user experience for inspectors and laboratory staff while reducing the environmental impact of the spore-trap cassettes used by IAQ professionals around the world.   Jason is also working at the emerging intersection of fungal ecology, DNA sequencing, and building science. His company recently secured the global exclusive license from Yale University to commercialize the Mold Classification Tool (MCT), developed by Dr. Jordan Peccia and Dr. Richard Shaughnessy. MCT is designed to bring dust-based fungal assessment up to modern technological standards, using next-generation DNA sequencing and machine learning to characterize the broader fungal community within a building.   This week on IAQ Radio, we’ll explore The Evolution of Bioaerosol Sampling—from traditional spore traps and the innovations behind AirTrap to the next generation of dust testing using DNA sequencing and machine learning.   Learn more this week on IAQ Radio+.

Good Day and welcome to IAQ Radio+ episode 785 this week we continue with Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Gene Cole a public health and infection control titan. Dr. Eugene “Gene” Cole, DrPH, bridges the gap between deep, academic public health research and the boots-on-the-ground cleaning and restoration industries. Dr. Cole has spent over 35 years showing why cleaning is an essential branch of public health. Learn More this week on IAQ Radio+.   Dr. Gene Cole is Director of Research for LRC Indoor Testing & Research, Cary, NC; and formerly Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. He has 35 years of research experience, with a primary focus on the ecology of indoor and work environments, with special emphasis on identification and reduction of pollutant reservoirs and sources, bioaerosols, human exposure assessment and control, product evaluation, cleaning and restoration, mold and sewage remediation, and biocides.   Since 2000, he has continued to conduct research on the relationship between the use of antibacterial cleaning and hygiene products in the home, and antibiotic resistance; as well as on the effectiveness of cleaning to reduce the transmission of disease agents in schools. He has also worked with national and international organizations to address environmental health and infectious disease concerns such as medical waste management in Central Europe and South East Asia, hygiene promotion in Africa, and healthy homes and buildings in the U.S. and Asia. Dr. Cole is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI), and a Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. He holds a Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and a Doctor of Public Health in Biohazard Science and Occupational Health, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Two decades ago, IAQ Radio set out with a simple but critical mission: to build a bridge between science and practice in indoor air quality, building science, and disaster restoration. Every Friday at noon ET, hosts Joseph “Radio Joe” Hughes and Cliff “The Z-Man” Zlotnik have brought you long-form conversations with the experts, innovators, and thought leaders shaping these industries.   IAQ Radio has been “The Voice of the Indoor Air Quality and Disaster Restoration Industry" for 20 years and is the longest-running, continuously produced live technical podcast in history. We’re celebrating 20 years by doing what we do best—and what we plan to keep doing for years to come: long-form interviews with brilliant people exploring the science, challenges, and innovations shaping indoor air quality, disaster restoration, and building science.

Dr. Gene Cole is Director of Research for LRC Indoor Testing & Research, Cary, NC; and formerly Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. He has 35 years of research experience, with a primary focus on the ecology of indoor and work environments, with special emphasis on identification and reduction of pollutant reservoirs and sources, bioaerosols, human exposure assessment and control, product evaluation, cleaning and restoration, mold and sewage remediation, and biocides. Since 2000, he has continued to conduct research on the relationship between the use of antibacterial cleaning and hygiene products in the home, and antibiotic resistance; as well as on the effectiveness of cleaning to reduce the transmission of disease agents in schools. He has also worked with national and international organizations to address environmental health and infectious disease concerns such as medical waste management in Central Europe and South East Asia, hygiene promotion in Africa, and healthy homes and buildings in the U.S. and Asia. Dr. Cole is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI), and a Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. He holds a Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and a Doctor of Public Health in Biohazard Science and Occupational Health, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Susan is an award-winning founder and CEO building technology at the intersection of climate resilience, housing, and human behavior. An expert in designing technology for behavior change, she is co-founder and CEO of Tessi, leveraging AI to make repairing homes after natural disasters faster, safer and smarter. In parallel, Susan maintains a small personal climate investment and advisory platform (Spark Global) that supports her board roles, EIR work, and select early-stage climate companies.

This week we welcome back Dr. Richard Shaughnessy for a show we are calling "The Life and Times of an IEQ Researcher, Advocate, and Educator." Richard has been a tireless advocate for better indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and for helping bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners throughout his distinguished career. He has also been a longtime supporter and frequent contributor to IAQ Radio, dating back to his first appearance on January 12, 2007, alongside Peter Sierck. This week we look back on Richard's impactful career, discuss the lessons he has learned along the way, and explore new research that is helping change how we understand indoor environments.

This week we welcome back our most frequent guest, Don Weekes, for a special edition of our Life and Times series: Lessons Learned in IEQ and IH. For going on 20 years, Don has been a regular contributor to IAQ Radio, and over that time we have developed a strong friendship and professional relationship. Few people have given as much back to the indoor environmental quality and industrial hygiene community as Don and his wife, Lan Chi Nguyen Weekes, who is a legend in her own right.   Together, Don and Lan Chi built and successfully sold a consulting practice that they operated for 13 years. Along the way, both have devoted countless volunteer hours to professional associations, industry initiatives, and causes that have helped advance the fields of IEQ and industrial hygiene. Join us this week as Don reflects on a lifetime of experiences, lessons learned, and contributions to the profession on IAQ Radio+.

Ralph E. Moon, Ph.D. is the Owner of Ralph E. Moon Consulting LLC., an insurance services company that investigates water-related damage for insurance claims. Previously he managed the Building Sciences Department and GHD Services in Tampa, FL. He is a Building Scientist with more than 40 years of consulting experience in the areas of duration of loss studies, risk assessment, project management, industrial hygiene, and indoor air quality assessment. Dr. Moon has published 65 peer-reviewed papers and 40 technical articles and is a frequent expert witness on insurance related claims and projects. He has a unique background that combines extensive field experience, teaching, research, and legal services in IAQ, building science and disaster restoration. Dr. Moon is a graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of South Florida.

Good Day and welcome to IAQ Radio+ episode 778 this week present part 2 of our Life and Times show with Darrell Paulson. We are calling this one The Life and Times of a restoration icon and serial volunteer. Learn more this week on IAQ Radio+. Darrell Paulson is an Honorary Board Member and the Shareholder Group Spokesperson for The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). He is also retired CEO of Advanced Restoration Specialists, Inc. of Southern, CA. Darrell has been an integral part of the IICRC since 1983 as a Chairman, BOD member, Shareholder and Committee Chair. In addition to being a tireless volunteer he is a well known industry veteran and thoughtful speaker at industry conventions and events. His steady, relentless lifetime contributions to the restoration industry have been incalculable.

Michael McGuinness, is well known and respected for his deep technical expertise, field experience, role in the early days of mold and water loss training, standards development and "unapologetic no-nonsense New Jersey attitude”. Mike is a Certified Industrial Hygienist with sub-specialty certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) in Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) sub-specialty. He is also a Certified Environmental Trainer through the National Environmental Training Association. He is a Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional through the Association of Energy Engineers with over 35 years professional experience in the public sector with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the NJ Bureau of Engineering and Safety and as principal in the environmental consulting firm R.K. Occupational and Environmental Analysis, Inc. based in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Learn more this week on IAQ Radio+.

Darrell Paulson is an Honorary Board Member and the Shareholder Group Spokesperson for The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). He is also retired CEO of Advanced Restoration Specialists, Inc. of Southern, CA. Darrell has been an integral part of the IICRC since 1983 as a Chairman, BOD member, Shareholder and Committee Chair. In addition to being a tireless volunteer he is a well known industry veteran and thoughtful speaker at industry conventions and events. His steady, relentless lifetime contributions to the restoration industry have been incalculable.

Ed Light, CIH, is the founder (now retired) of Building Dynamics, LLC, industrial hygiene and mechanical engineering consultants specializing in Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), HVAC engineering, and energy conservation. His areas of expertise include resolution of mold/moisture issues, COVID transmission in buildings, investigation of IEQ, HVAC operation and maintenance, construction, IEQ, and damage restoration. Ed holds degrees in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts (B.S.) and Marshall University (M.S.), is a Senior Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), authored forty scientific publications and chaired national committees. In the 1980’s, Mr. Light established the West Virginia Department of Health IAQ Program, pioneering efforts to resolve exposure issues related to formaldehyde, asbestos, and termiticides. In the 1990’s, Mr. Light developed widely used protocols for addressing IAQ complaints (issued by EPA, NIOSH, and ISIAQ) and managing air quality in occupied buildings under construction (SMACNA/ANSI Standard).

Carl’s work focuses on people who feel better outside of their house or office, helping building occupants understand and improve their indoor environments — particularly for people experiencing health symptoms tied to indoor exposures like mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fragrances. Because he originally experienced indoor environmental harm in his personal life, he brings a unique perspective to understanding and communicating the complications between clients and practitioners. Carl is a frequent presenter nationally and internationally, past President of IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association), and past Vice President of Practice of ISIAQ. He has served on and chaired committees writing ANSI accredited standards like the original IICRC-S520, chaired the IAQA Healthy Home Committee, and was a committee member on the ACAAI-AAAAI Joint Task Force that wrote medical practice parameters. He is immediate past chair of the ASHRAE TC1.12 Moisture Management in Buildings, and Guideline 10, Interaction Affecting the Achievement of Acceptable Indoor Environments, plus the ASHRAE position document Health and Wellness in the Built Environment.

Jack White is a legendary figure in the cleaning and restoration field—starting on a truck in 1977 and rising to lead training and R&D for Rainbow International (now Rainbow Restoration). Jack recently retired from his position as Vice President of Technical Services at Rainbow International. He was in charge of: research & development, training, providing technical services and support for over 400 Rainbow International specialty cleaning and disaster restoration services domestically and internationally. Jack holds many technician and advance level designations in cleaning and restoration and is an IICRC approved instructor. He was active in both industry and consumer affairs serving on the board of directors of RIA, as a regional supervisor for the IICRC and as a member of the Better Business Bureaus’ National Panel of Consumer Arbitrators.