Will AI Replace Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health?

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Discuss test results and analyses with customers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Develop testing procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Direct activities of workers in laboratory.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.