Bemnet Gessesse, MPH, is a Senior Consultant in EH&E’s Education and Commercial practice, bringing nearly fifteen years consulting experience in industrial hygiene, occupational and environmental exposure assessment, health risk evaluation, and toxic tort litigation support. Specializing in exposure assessment, Bemnet evaluates how people may be exposed to environmental and occupational hazards and the potential health implications of those exposures.

Much of Bemnet’s work centers on addressing complex occupational and environmental health challenges, particularly when exposure information is limited, incomplete, or historical. Her work spans a broad spectrum of chemical and biological concerns, including Legionella, respirable crystalline silica, asbestos, indoor air quality, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), drinking water quality, and consumer product exposures. She applies relevant requirements and guidance from agencies such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state, local, and industry standards, as appropriate for each engagement.

Bemnet takes a practical approach to her work, grounding her technical evaluations in the specific objectives of each project and the client’s broader needs. She considers the full exposure pathway, integrating industrial hygiene data, scientific literature, regulatory guidance, and site-, process-, and product-specific information. By analyzing the available evidence in context and identifying important data gaps, Bemnet develops scientifically sound conclusions and practical strategies to support risk management decisions.

Drawn to environmental health by the opportunity to address real-world issues that directly impact people’s health, Bemnet is particularly motivated by the investigative nature of the work and the challenge of using available evidence to understand and address complex exposure questions.