Expertise
Occupational and environmental epidemiology, environmental health, sustainability
Research Interests
epidemiology, environmental health, occupational health, research synthesis, risk assessment, cancer, non-malignant respiratory disease, decision making under uncertainty, precautionary principle.
Education
- Doctor of Science (Sc.D): Epidemiology and Occupational Health, (1986), Harvard School of Public Health - Boston, Massachusetts
- Master of Science (MSc): Physiology, (1983), Harvard School of Public Health - Boston, Massachusetts
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Human Biology, (1977), University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, Wisconsin
Biosketch
David Kriebel is a professor emeritus of epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Trained at Harvard in occupational/environmental epidemiology, his research has helped to identify many important environmental and occupational causes of cancer, lung diseases, injuries and other health hazards. For over 30 years he taught in the Department of Work Environment at UMass Lowell, an interdisciplinary graduate program that trained hundreds of occupational health researchers, practitioners and activists. Dr. Kriebel has co-authored two textbooks and published more than 160 peer reviewed papers (h-index = 61). As a member of a committee of the U.S. National Research Council, Dr. Kriebel helped establish the link between exposure to Agent Orange among Vietnam veterans and cancer, leading to compensation for many disabled veterans. He advised the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences on its long term study of the health effects of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill and clean-up operations and conducted research to identify cancers and other diseases among the first responders to the World Trade Center Disaster. Dr. Kriebel is also the Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, which collaborates with industries, government agencies, unions, and community organizations on the redesign of systems of production to make them healthier and more environmentally sound. He continues to teach epidemiology and also frequently speaks to community groups and government agencies on the role of science in democratic decision making, particularly in cancer prevention.
Selected Awards and Honors
- Fulbright Fellow, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, and Center for the Study and Prevention of Cancer, Florence, Italy, 1988.
- Commencement Address, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2008
- Earth Caretaker Award recipient, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2015.
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Scientific Committee on Epidemiology in Occupational Health of the International Commission on Occupational Health (EPICOH). Awarded at the 29th Annual Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health, Mumbai, 2023.
- 2015 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence (2015), Teaching - University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Certificate of Excellence" for teaching (2009), Teaching - UMass Lowell Student Government Association
- Work Environment Students Association Award for Teaching Excellence (2008), Teaching - Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Recipient, Teaching Excellence Award (1997), Teaching - University of Massachusetts Lowell Student Government Association
- Recipient, Teacher of the Year Award (1996), Teaching - University of Massachusetts Lowell Graduate Students Association
- Work Environment Students Association Award for Teaching Excellence (1992), Teaching - Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA
- Fulbright Fellow, Italy (1987) - Fulbright
- Italian League against Cancer Visiting Scientist Award (1983), Scholarship/Research - Italian League against Cancer
- Visiting Scientist Award (1983) - Italian League Against Cancer
Selected Publications
- Sama SR, Quinn MM, Gore RJ, Galligan CJ, Kriebel D, Markkanen PK, Lindberg JE, Fallon PJ. The Safe Home Care Intervention Study: Implementation Methods and Effectiveness Evaluation. J Appl Gerontol. 2024; 43(11):1595-1604. doi: 10.1177/07334648241246472.
- McCarty, R., Trabert, B., Kriebel, D., Millar, M., Birmann, B., Grieshober, L., Barnard, M., Collin, L., Lawson-Michod, K., Gibson, B., Sawatzki, J., Carter, M., Yoder, V., Gilreath, J., Shami, P. and Doherty, J. Tattoos and Risk of Hematologic Cancer: A Population-Based Case–Control Study in Utah. Cancer Med 2024.13: e70260. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70260
- Kriebel D. Advancing global health with occupational epidemiology. Plenary Symposium ‘EPICOH lifetime achievement award’. Occ & Env Medicine 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.3
- Sama SR, Gore R, Bauer AZ, Garber L, Rosiello R, Sundaresan D, McDonald A, Kriebel D. Targeting patients for early COVID-19 therapy; Pre-infection metabolic dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of severe disease in patients under 65: A Massachusetts community-based observational study. PLoS ONE 2023. 18(6): e0287430. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287430
- Schott KD, Kriebel D, Sama SR, Buchholz BO, Järvholm B, Wahlström J. A cohort study of retinal detachment among Swedish construction workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 2023. 49(7):518-525; https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4100.
- Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, Liew Z, Taylor HS, Bornehag C-G, et al. Paracetamol use during pregnancy — a call for precautionary action. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7
- Demers AP, DeMarini DM, Fent KW, Glass DC, Hansen J, Adetona O, et al. Carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter. The Lancet Oncology, 2022. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045 (22)00390-4.
- McMahan CS, Self S, Rennert L, Kalbaugh C, Kriebel D, Graves D, Deaver JA, Popat S, Karanfil T, Freedman DL. COVID-19 Wastewater Epidemiology: A Model to Estimate Infected Populations. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5: e874–81.
- DeVries R, Kriebel D, Sama S. Outdoor Air Pollution and COPD-Related Emergency Department Visits, Hospital Admissions, and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis. COPD 2016. 26:1-9. PMID: 27564008
- Pearce N, Blair A, Vineis P, and 121 other authors including Kriebel D. IARC Monographs: 40 years of evaluating carcinogenic hazards to humans. PMID: 25712798. Environmental Health Perspectives 2015. 123: 507-514
- Kriebel D, Checkoway H, Pearce N. Exposure and Dose Modeling in Occupational Epidemiology. Occup Environ Med 2007. 64(7):492-8.
- Wallace RF, Kriebel D, Punnett L, Wegman DH, Amoroso PJ. Prior heat illness hospitalization and risk of early death. Environ Res 2007. 104(2):290-5.
- Hemmingsson T, Kriebel D, Lundberg I. Smoking at age 18-20 and suicide during 26 years of follow-up – how can the association be explained? International Journal of Epidemiology 2003. 32: 1000–1005.
- Zeka A, Gore R, Kriebel D. Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco on Aerodigestive Cancer Risks: A Meta-regression Analysis. Cancer Causes and Control 2003. 14:897-906.
- Kriebel D, Tickner J, Epstein P, Lemons J, Levins R, Loechler EL, Quinn MM, Rudel R, Schettler T, Stoto M. The precautionary principle in environmental science. Environmental Health Perspectives 2001. 109:871-876.
- Quinn MM, Kriebel D, Geiser K, Moure-Eraso R. Sustainable production: a new strategy for the work environment. Am J Ind Med 1998. 34:297-304.
- Quinn MM, Kriebel D, Buiatti E, Paci E, Sini S, Vannucchi G, Zappa M. An asbestos hazard in the reprocessed textile industry. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1987. 11:255-266.
- Kriebel D, Henry J, Gold J, Bronsdon A, Commoner B. The mutagenicity of cigarette smokers' urine. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology 1985. 6:157-70.
- Buiatti E, Kriebel D, Geddes M, Santucci M, Pucci N. A case control study of lung cancer in Florence, Italy: I. Occupational risk factors. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 1985. 39:244-250.
- Kriebel D, Jowett D. Stomach cancer mortality in the north central states: high risk is not limited to the foreign born. Nutrition and Cancer 1979. 1:8-12.
Selected Presentations
- Causes of Lung Cancer: Study compares smoking and air pollution. Collaborative for Health and Environment Webinar, October 29, 2024. Dr. Douglas Myers and Dr. David Kriebel addressed this cancer prevention question in the context of lung cancer drivers. They presented details of their recent study examining how reducing air pollution could lower lung cancer rates as much as smoking cessation.
- Tattoo Inks, Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases: Gaps in research and regulation. Collaborative for Health and Environment Webinar, February 22, 2024. Dr. David Kriebel discussed the existing evidence on possible health effects of tattoos, including cancers and autoimmune diseases, and the need for additional research to understand possible hazards. The webinar was co-moderated by Dr. Rachel Massey, Senior Science and Policy Advisor, CHE and Andre Green, Network Coordinator, Cancer and Environment Network of Southwest Pennsylvania.
- Cleaning and Disinfection in Home Healthcare: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods to Assess Caregivers’ Exposure to Cleaning and Disinfection Products. - ICOH 2018 Conference, April 2018 - Dublin, Ireland
- Environmental and Occupational Triggers of COPD Symptoms: A case crossover study - The 26th International Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) , August 2017 - Edinburgh
- An integrated approach to infection and respiratory illness prevention in home healthcare: preliminary results of the safe home care cleaning and disinfecting study - 25th International Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) Conference, September 2016 - Barcelona, Spain
- Evaluating the connection between healthcare worker and patient safety using the care bond framework - 25th International Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) Conference, September 2016 - Barcelona, Spain
- Safe cleaning and disinfecting for home care aide and client health - American Public Health Association (APHA) 143rd Annual Meeting, November 2015 - Chicago (IL), USA
- Hazardous Occupational Exposures and Injuries in Home Care: Results from the Safe Home Care Survey - 10th International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) Scientific Conference, April 2015 - London, UK
- Quantifying hazardous occupational exposures and injuries in home care: Results from the Safe Home Care survey - 24th International Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) Conference, June 2014 - Chicago (IL), USA
- Risks of occupational safety and health hazards among home care aides - American Association of Public Health (APHA) 141st Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2013 - Boston (MA), USA
- Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Measures in Occupational Health - A Case Study on Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures in Home Healthcare - Education and Research Center (ERC) & Work Health and Well-being Seminar Series at Harvard School of Public Health, September 2010 - Boston (MA), USA
- Methods for qualitative measures informing quantitative measures in occupational health - a case study - 6th International Occupational and Environmental Exposure Assessment Conference, August 2009 - Boston (MA), USA
- Assessment of blood exposures among home healthcare workers: linking qualitative and quantitative methods for more precise exposure estimation - 6th International Occupational and Environmental Exposure Assessment Conference, August 2009 - Boston (MA), USA
- Risk of sharps injuries and blood exposures among home health care workers - American Public Health Association (APHA) 136th Annual Meeting and Exposition. , October 2008 - San Diego (CA), USA
- Project SHARRP: Survey methods and recruitment of a population of home healthcare providers - American Public Health Association (APHA) 135th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2007 - Washington DC, USA
- Sharps Injuries & Blood Exposures Among Home Health Care Workers - 19th International Epidemiology in Occupational Health (EPICOH) Conference, October 2007 - Banff (Alberta), Canada
- Workshop on dealing with uncertainty: setting the agenda for the 5th ministerial conference on environment and health, 2009 - 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, December 2005 - Copenhagen, Denmark
- Workshop on evaluating evidence: the use, misuse and development of criteria in the assessment of scientific evidence on health and environmental hazards, 1965 Ð 2005, December 2005 - London, United Kingdom
- Design issues in a morbidity study of beryllium workers--use of animal data to determine appropriate modeling of exposure, May 1985 - Cincinnati, OH
Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research
- Occupational Health & Safety Training Grants (Graduate Training Program) (2013), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Homecare work in social assistance and healthcare: safe cleaning and disinfection (2014), Grant -
Goodyear, N., Quinn, M.M., Kriebel, D., Markkanen, P., Sama, S. - "Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Occupational Injury and Disability Research" (2006), Fellowship - Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - EMS Development: Rhode Island Department of Transportation (2012), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Support of the Development of an Energy Management System for MIT (2013), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Vermont Energy Management Workshops (2013), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - SASI - Sustainability Action Summer Institute - Income Account (2010), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Evaluation of the Milford Water Companys Environmental Management System (2013), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Development of an Environmental Management System for Worcester Public Schools (2010), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - To Support the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in (2013), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Connecticut Energy Management Roundtables (2013), Contract - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Informing the NIOSH Carcinogen Policy: Advancing Effective Cancer Prevention (2012), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Strengthening Core Activities of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (2012), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Occupational Health and Safety Training Grant (Graduate Training Program) (2012), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Follow-Up to the SkillWorks Study (2012), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Informing the NIOSH Carcinogen Policy: Advancing Effective Cancer Prevention (2011), -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Extending and Strengthening Lowell Center Impact (2010), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Occupational Health & Safety Training Grants (Graduate Training Program) (2011), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Occupational Health and Safety Training Grant (2010), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Lessons Learned: Workable Solutions to Workplace Health & Safety (2009), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "The Campaign for Sustainable Production & Consumption (2007), Grant - Kendeda Fund,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Strengthening Lowell Center Core Activities (2009), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Comparing Rates of Injury for Sharps Medical Devices with Safety Features in Mass (2009), Grant - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Proximity to Traffic, Air Toxic Exposures and the Development of Asthma in Children (2006), Grant - M. Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center,
Kriebel, D. (Co-Investigator) - Strengthening Core Activities of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production Uni (2008), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Strengthening Core Activities of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, U (2007), Grant -
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Sharps Injuries and Safe Needle Device Use Among Home Health Care Workers. (2004), Grant - Centers for Disease Control/NIOSH,
Kriebel, D. (Co-Investigator) - Disease Clustering and Episodic Environmental Releases (2003), Grant - Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine/Centers for Disease Control
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Development of a Simplified 2-Stage Cancer Model (2001), Grant - Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine/Centers for Disease Control
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - The Role of Social Networks in Workplace Injuries". (2001), Grant - Centers for Disease Control/NIOSH,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Metalworking Fluids and Aerodigestive Cancer Risk" (1999), Grant - Centers for Disease Control/NIOSH,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "The Precautionary Principle in Environmental Regulation in Massachusetts". (1999), Grant - Merck Foundation
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Lung Cancer and Exposure to Chrysotile and Amphiboles (1997), Grant - National Cancer Institute
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Developing Sustainable Production (1997), Grant - Jesse B. Cox Charitable Trust,
- "Epidemiologic Study of Pulmonary Effects of Formaldehyde" (1992), Grant - National Institutes of Health
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Field Investigations of the Acute Respiratory Effects of Machining Fluids" (1991), Grant - United Autoworkers/General Motors Joint National Committee on Health and Safety,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Epidemiologic Methods for Estimating Airborne Exposures" (1990), Grant - National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Improved Magnetic Field Exposure Assessment" (1990), Grant - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - "Epidemiologic Methods for Estimating Airborne Exposures (1986), Grant - National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences,
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - Fulbright Fellow (1987), Fellowship - Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, and Center for the Study and Prevention of Cancer, Florence, Italy
- Respiratory Disease in Beryllium Workers (1984), Grant - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Kriebel, D. (Principal) - International Union against Cancer Traveling Fellowship (1983), Fellowship - International Union
- Air and Noise Analysis of Interior Recreational Environments (1975), Grant - National Science Foundation
Kriebel, D. (Co-Principal) - Venture Fund Small Grant: Environmental Problem Solving Workshop". (1974), Grant - Ford Foundation
Kriebel, D. (Co-Principal) - National Environmental Health Association Undergraduate Scholarship (1974), Fellowship - National Environmental Health Association
Kriebel, D.
Research Currently in Progress
- Health and environmental policy decision making with uncertain science
- Environmental and occupational causes of cancer
- Chronic health risks of tattoo inks
- Increasing use of sustainable chemicals and materials