Occupational hygiene science and its application in occupational health policy, at home and abroad

This paper examines the role of occupational hygiene in the overall framewo rk of occupational health. It draws attention to the unique combination of required individual science subjects, and to the way in which occupational hygiene science contributes to the practice of occupational hygiene in the real world. It focuses in particular on occupational exposure standards. Th e paper provides, as an example, the specific case of occupational aerosol exposures. It is here that scientific research has made a notable impact on standards and led to a considerable degree of international harmonization. Finally, some broader insights into occupational exposure standards are gi ven, based on experience gained during visits to a number of contrasting co untries. The similarities and differences between the various national appr oaches help indicate what is generic in how standards are set. Such insight s provide a basis for further international harmonization in the future. It is concluded that occupational exposure standards appear to be most effect ively applied in countries where there are strong occupational hygiene cult ures.