Practical model of preventing the risk of occupational diseases in exposure to chemical agents Prof. Dr. Toma Niculescu – Romanian Society of Occupational Medicine

Overview In the framework of our meeting, we try to identify the development possibilities of the prevention of occupational diseases due to exposure to dangerous substances. The way of thinking regarding the implementation of prophylactic measures of occupational diseases in general, supposes the achievement of two main groups of actions: Technical-organizational steps Medical remedies

Technical-organizational steps Excluding the dangerous substance from the work flow, using less dangerous or harmless substances or operations  Insulation of machines producing the substances or segregation of dangerous processes from the work place were people are working (automation, special booths, thermal insulation, phonic insulation etc.) If this cannot be done: 

Technical-organizational steps Stopping the agent to enter work place environment (sealing, humid processes for dust, local ventilation etc.)  Reducing agents’ concentration in the work place under the threshold limit values (general ventilation, phonic absorption etc.) If this cannot be done: 

Reducing strain Reducing work hours Appropriate work load Adequate resting conditions during breaks Use of personal protective equipment Hygienic annexes Protective food Occupational safety and health training Stopping the action of agent upon workers or reducing this action through: Technical-organizational steps

Medical remedies Acknowledge risk at work Employment medical check Periodical medical check Medical training

Perspectives 1. Toxicity assessment through the use of genomics in toxicology. The presence of databases containing sequences of human as well as animal genome induced debates among toxicologists. Apart some general lines, we can surely ascertain that genomics will have a major impact in four areas of toxicology:

Perspective Development of new and comprehensive testing systems to assess toxicity and carcinogenicity; Establishment of genetical basis to explain susceptibility and response differences to dangerous substances in work places; Establishment of biomarkers used to quantify exposure; Establishment of means and resources that will be used in epidemiological studies.

Perspectives 2. Occupational risk assessment through “real-time” measurements of chemical substances’ concentration in work places.

Perspectives 3. Performing employees’ health surveillance through employment medical checks, periodical medical checks and so on in county (regional) occupational health centers, to ensure an accurate correlation between the anatomical, physiological and health features of the employee and specific working conditions.

Perspectives 3. Establishment of data banks with information regarding dangerous substances used in our country, grouped in activities, occupations and so on. The fast access to information regarding toxicity, first aid, prevention of occupational diseases due to exposure to dangerous substances will be thus ensured.