Kenneth Geiser

Ken Geiser

Professor Emeritus, Distinguished University Professor

College
Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
Department
Public Health
Phone
978-934-3299
Email
Ken_Geiser@uml.edu

Research Interests

Environmental Law and Policy
Environmentally Appropriate Materialscy
Environmental Health and Workplace
Sustainable Production and Industrial Development. Safety.

Environmental Law and Policy. Research on policy development for hazardous waste minimization, pollution prevention, toxics use reduction and facility level risk reduction planning. Helped to establish and assist the development of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. Developed and provided administrative supervision of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Program. Established and, for thirteen years, directed the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute offering technology research, professional training, and technical support to over 500 Massachusetts industrial facilities. Served on the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Common Sense Initiative, Sub-committee on Computers and Electronics, Forum on State and Tribal Action, Chemical Information Management Subcommittee, and various National Advisory Committee on Environment and Technology workgroups.

Environmentally Appropriate Materials. Policy writing on national chemicals policies, new materials development, materials substitution, and green chemistries. Established and served as director for the University of Massachusetts, Center for Environmentally Appropriate Materials implementing the Massachusetts Strategic Enviro-technology Partnership, a joint partnership between the University of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Established the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development. Completed book (Materials Matter: Towards a Sustainable Materials Policy, MIT Press, 2001) on policy directions for the development and use of more sustainable materials. Engaged in cross-national research on government policies for minimizing hazardous wastes and managing toxic and hazardous materials. Environmental Health and Workplace Safety. Technical assistance, legislation drafting and policy development on right-to-know, occupational health and safety, and community health monitoring. Drafted and assisted in the enactment of right-to-know and toxics use reduction legislation in Massachusetts. Served on working groups for the federal Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Served as advisor, board member, and trainer for national environmental advocacy organizations such as the National Toxics Campaign, Massachusetts PIRG, the Healthy Building Network, Environmental Health Fund, Clean Water Action, Maine Environmental Health Strategy Center, Health Care without Harm, Greenpeace, the Global Alliance for Alternatives to Incineration, the International POPs Elimination Network, and Clean Production Action. Sustainable Production and Industrial Development. Research and policy analysis on technology innovation and clean enterprise development. Established and co-direct the University of Massachusetts, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production with projects ranging from the precautionary principle to sustainable hospitals, indicators of sustainable production, clean production training and international dialogues on sustainable consumption. Helped to establish, and oversaw development of the national Product Stewardship Institute. Served as a member, Core Advisory Group, United Nations Environment Program, Cleaner Production Program, Paris, France and the Global Chemicals Outlook, United Nations Environment Program, Geneva, Switzerland. Founder of Clean Production Action, a policy research group providing services to U.S-based public interest organizations, and the Global Chemicals Resource Team, a non-profit technical assistance unit for chemicals policy in developing countries.

Education

  • Ph D: Urban Studies and Planning, (1977), Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA
  • Other, (1967), Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA
  • Other: Architecture, (1965), University of California Berkeley - Berkeley, CA

Biosketch

Kenneth Geiser is Professor of Work Environment and Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.  Dr. Geiser is one of the authors of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act and served as Director of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute from its founding in 1990 to 2003.  His research and writing focus on pollution prevention and cleaner production, toxic chemicals management, international chemicals policy, safer technologies, and green chemistry and, in 2001, he completed a book, Materials Matter: Towards a Sustainable Materials Policy published by MIT Press.  As a recognized expert on environmental and occupational health policy, he has served on various advisory committees for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Nations Environment Program.

Selected Publications

  • Omar, M.S., Quinn, M.M., Buchholz, B., Geiser, K. (2013). Are green building features safe for preventive maintenance workers? Examining the evidence. American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
  • Omar, M.S., Quinn, M.M., Buchholz, B.O., Geiser, K. (2013). Are green building features safe for preventive maintenance workers? Examining the evidence. American journal of industrial medicine, 56(4) 410-23.
  • �lvarez-Ch�vez, C.R., Edwards, S., Moure-Eraso, R., Geiser, K. (2012). Sustainability of bio-based plastics: General comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 23(1) 47-56.
  • Massawe, E., Geiser, K. (2012). The dilemma of promoting green products: What we know and don't know about biobased metalworking fluids. Journal of environmental health, 74(8) 8-16.
  • Ellenbecker, M., Geiser, K. (2011). At the source: The origins of the Massachusetts toxics use reduction program and an overview of this special issue. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(5) 389-396.
  • Ellenbecker, M., Geiser, K. (2011). At the source: the origins of the Massachusetts toxics use reduction program and an overview of this special issue. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19 389-396.
  • Trasande, L., Massey, R.I., DiGangi, J., Geiser, K., Olanipekun, A.I., Gallagher, L. (2011). How developing nations can protect children from hazardous chemical exposures while sustaining economic growth. Health affairs, 30(12) 2400-2409.
  • Armenti, K.R., Moure-Eraso, R., Slatin, C., Geiser, K. (2011). Primary prevention for worker health and safety: Cleaner production and toxics use reduction in Massachusetts. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(5) 488-497.
  • Geiser, K. (2011). Redesigning chemicals policy: a very different approach. New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS, 21(3) 329-344.
  • Geiser, K., Tickner, J., Torrie, Y. (2009). Reforming state-level chemicals management policies in the United States: status, challenges, and opportunities. New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS, 19(1) 9-29.
  • Massawe, E.A., Geiser, K., Ellenbecker, M., Marshall, J. (2008). Technical performance evaluation of the potential biobased floor strippers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(1) 12-21.
  • Massawe, E., Geiser, K., Ellenbecker, M., Marshall, J. (2007). Health, safety, and ecological implications of using biobased floor-stripping products. Journal of environmental health, 69(9) 45-52.
  • Geiser, K., Rossi, M., Crumbley, C. (2007). The Louisville Charter: The NGO blueprint for new chemicals policy. New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS, 17(3) 167-171.
  • Li, L., Geiser, K. (2005). Environmentally responsible public procurement (ERPP) and its implications for integrated product policy (IPP). Journal of Cleaner Production, 13(7) 705-715.
  • Waage, S.A., Geiser, K., Irwin, F., Weissman, A.B., Bertolucci, M.D., Fisk, P., Basile, G., Cowan, S., Cauley, H., McPherson, A. (2005). Fitting together the building blocks for sustainability: A revised model for integrating ecological, social, and financial factors into business decision-making. Journal of Cleaner Production, 13(12) 1145-1163.
  • Tickner, J.A., Geiser, K., Coffin, M. (2005). The U.S. experience in promoting sustainable chemistry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 12(2) 115-123.
  • Tickner, J.A., Geiser, K. (2004). The precautionary principle stimulus for solutions- and alternatives-based environmental policy. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 24(7-8) 801-824.
  • Geiser, K. (2003). What next in cleaner production technologies? Industry and Environment, 25(3-4) 75-77.
  • Geiser, K. (2001). Cleaner production perspectives 2: Integrating CP into sustainability strategies. Industry and Environment, 24(1-2) 33-36.
  • Geiser, K., Gros, X.E. (2001). Materials matter: Toward a sustainable materials policy. Electronic Green Journal, (15).
  • Quinn, M.M., Kriebel, D., Geiser, K., Moure-Eraso, R. (1998). Sustainable production: A proposed strategy for the work environment. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 34(4) 297-304.
  • Quinn, M.M., Kriebel, D., Geiser, K., Moure-Eraso, R. (1998). Sustainable production: a proposed strategy for the work environment. American journal of industrial medicine, 34(4) 297-304.
  • Becker, M., Geiser, K., Keenan, C. (1997). Massachusetts tries to cut toxic chemicals use. Environmental Science and Technology, 31(12) 564-567.
  • Oldenburg, K.U., Geiser, K. (1997). Pollution prevention and...or industrial ecology? Journal of Cleaner Production, 5(1-2) 103-108.
  • Geiser, K. (1993). Protecting reproductive health and the environment: Toxics use reduction. Environmental health perspectives, 101(SUPPL. 2) 221-227.
  • Beecher, N., Geiser, K., Fischer, K. (1988). Strategies in hazardous waste minimization used outside the U.S. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials, 5(2) 177-184.
  • Geiser, K. (1986). Health hazards in the microelectronics industry. International Journal of Health Services, 16(1) 105-120.
  • Geiser, K. (1985). A policy assessment of European hazardous waste treatment facilities. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials, 2(3) 363-380.
  • Geiser, K., Bratt, R.G. (1984). Local land policy overrides: when are they appropriate? Policy Studies Journal, 12(3) 499-510.

Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Support for A Better Citys Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative (2010), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Support of Northeast Superior Energy Performance Demonstration (2012), Contract - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • EMS Development: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (2011), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • EMS Development: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (2011), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Support of EMS Development: White Water/Milford Water Company (2011), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Assistance to Town of Spencer for Development of EMS (2008), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Sustainable Cell Phone Design Charrette Follow-up (2012), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Facilitation and Support of "Energy Management Roundtables" (2011), Contract - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Principles of Substitution for Safer Chemicals in Products (2012), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • A Systems Approach To Emerging Technologies (2008), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Energy-focused EMSs in Wastewater Utilities in New England (2010), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Support of Workshop for Private Owners and/or Operators of Water and Wastewater U (2011), Contract - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Promoting Entry to Career Pathways in the Drinking Water and Wastewater Sector (2011), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Economics of Conversion to Mercury Free Products Project (2011), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Energy-Focused EMSs in Wastewater Utilities in New England (2007), Contract -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Doctoral Dissertation Research in DRMS: Using Transparency to Increase Awareness (2010), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Using Transparency to Increase Awareness of Chemical Hazards in University Labora (2010), Grant - NATL INST FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY&HEALTH
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • A Proposal for Planning the Establishment of an Interstate Chemicals Clearinghous (2008), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (2009), Contract -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • A Systems Approach To Emerging Technologies (2008), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Income Acct. For Innovative Energy Management Workshops for Water and Wastewater (2007), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Innovative Energy Management Workshops for Water and Wastewater Facilities (2007), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Phase 2: EH&S Crossroads Workshop Project (2008), -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative (2008), Contract -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Sustainable Toys Initiative (2007), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • EMS Training Workshops for APWA Public Works Managers (2008), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Environmental Municipal Steward Training (2007), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Consultation to State Legislature regarding Alternatives to Brominated Flame Reta (2006), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)
  • Communications describing University changes in environmental responsibilities (2007), Grant -
    Geiser, K. (Principal)