OZONE AND OCCUPATIONAL-HEALTH AND SAFETY .1.

Ozone is generated as an undesirable by-product in many technical proc esses, as e.g. during welding, UV-drying in printing houses or while u sing laser printers and copy-machines. Exposure due to such processes is described and recommendations in terms of exposure reduction are gi ven. Ozone generation during technical processes is covered by the Ger man law on hazardous substances; it is e.g. possible to reduce or avoi d workers' exposure to ozone through branch-specific regulations. Howe ver, there is still no such regulation protecting outdoor workers who, during certain weeks of the year, are exposed to high environmental o zon concentrations. An ''ozone law for the workplace'' is unlikely to pass the votes. Those who are most seriously struck by construction in dustry, but also gardeners, forest workers, drivers and others. Exposu re situations of these persons are described and possible protective m easures are suggested. Efficient exposure reduction is obtained by a n umber or organisational measures. Personal protection is possible, too (protective helmet with integrated respiration protection). Technical measures, however, are less suitable in the case of outdoor exposure. Employers have the possibility to estimate outdoor exposure to ozone on the basis of the ozone-related weather forecast. The German Berufsg enossenschaften will set up guide lines for translating official value s into actual exposure-values.