Richard Neitzel

Richard Neitzel is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and the Global Public Health program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He serves as Director of the UM Center for Occupational Health and Safety Engineering and the UM Industrial Hygiene program. His work focuses on exposure science, particularly characterizing exposures to noise, heavy metals, and other ototoxins in occupational and community settings both domestically and abroad.

Dr. Neitzel's educational background includes:

• PhD in Environmental and Occupational Hygiene from the University of Washington (2009)
• MS in Environmental Health from the University of Washington (1998)
• BS in Safety from the University of Southern California (1996)

As an exposure scientist, Dr. Neitzel specializes in characterizing exposures to noise, heavy metals and other ototoxins, psychosocial stressors, and injury risk factors. His research incorporates innovative exposure sensing technologies and methodologies, with particular emphasis on translating research findings into occupational and public health practice. He has established significant expertise in noise exposure assessment, hearing loss prevention, and the intersection of environmental and occupational justice. His work spans diverse settings through collaborations in Thailand, Chile, and Sweden, addressing critical occupational and environmental health challenges.

Dr. Neitzel's recent publications demonstrate a growing focus on environmental justice issues, particularly examining how historical redlining and current segregation patterns contribute to disproportionate environmental and occupational exposures in marginalized communities. His research also continues to advance methodologies for exposure assessment, highlighted by the innovative Apple Hearing Study that leverages smartphone technology to assess sound exposures across 150,000 participants nationwide, evaluating impacts on hearing and cardiovascular health.

Professional recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Certified Industrial Hygienist since 2003

Dr. Neitzel leads significant research initiatives including the nationwide Apple Hearing Study, a 5-year investigation assessing environmental and headphone sound exposures. He directs the NIOSH-funded UM Center for Occupational Safety and Health Engineering and has developed important resources like the US/Canada Job Exposure Matrix for Occupational Noise. His research is supported by multiple funding mechanisms that enable the development and application of novel exposure assessment methods to understand potentially harmful exposures in workplace and community settings.

At the University of Michigan, Dr. Neitzel leads the UM Exposure Research lab, which conducts studies on exposure characterization using innovative sensing technologies. He has established global research partnerships that address occupational and environmental hazards in diverse settings, contributing to the development of evidence-based interventions to protect worker and community health.