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Use of exposure registration in the prevention of occupational cancer in Finland
Author(s) -
Alho Juha,
Kauppinen Timo,
Sundquist Erkki
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700130506
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , occupational exposure , asbestos , occupational cancer , occupational medicine , toxicology , materials science , metallurgy , biology
A nationwide system for monitoring occupational exposure to a wide range of carcinogens has been in operation in Finland since 1979. The primary aim of the system is to lead to the identification, evaluation, and eventual elimination of the exposures. The number of exposed workers reported to the register was about 20,000 out of the work force of 2.3 million in 1979–1984. The most common exposures were chromates, nickel and its inorganic compounds, and asbestos. Data are presented to show that the system has been at least partially successful in decreasing exposures at work places. As an example, we discuss the decrease in the use of hydrazine, which was previously widely used as an anticorrosive agent at power plants. The statistical quality of the system is discussed, and possibilities for future research uses of the computerized data base are outlined.