Tess Eidem, PhD - IEQ, Bioaerosols and Worker Health in Cannabis Manufacturing

IAQ Radio

Dr. Tess Eidem a practitioner and researcher working with the cannabis industry. She is interested in IEQ issues from a very broad perspective such as relative humidity and ventilation to very specific topics such as Bioaerosol exposures when cultivating cannabis. This week we will explore cannabis production, the worker health issues it poses and how we can learn from this new and quickly expanding area. Her most recent paper with Tara Nordgren and Mark Hernandez is on Bioaerosol Exposures and Respiratory Diseases in Cannabis Workers.

Tess Eidem’s doctoral research focused on developing novel antibiotics against bacterial pathogens, and her scientific career has centered on bringing modern microbiology and RNA biology practices to promote human health. Leveraging her scientific expertise, Dr. Eidem transitioned into the cannabis industry where she spent four years working directly in cannabis production and quality management. This unique experience allowed her to combine her hands-on skills in manufacturing with microbiology and product safety as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) to help cannabis cultivators minimize potential hazards within their facilities and in their products.

Having witnessed firsthand the challenges of microbial contamination in the cannabis industry, Dr. Eidem returned to the University of Colorado Boulder, where she currently works as a Senior Research Scientist in the Aerobiology and Disinfection Laboratory, with a focus on practical building science. Her research investigates bioaerosol persistence associated with cannabis environments, including airborne molds, allergens, and pathogens. She is driven to connect unbiased scientific research with environmental engineering principles and applying them to the cannabis space to improve worker well-being, plant health, and consumer safety.