Exposure information in European industry: implications for future occupational research

A survey has been carried out among European industry to investigate the collection and retention of records which might be used for epidemiological research. Exposure information results are reported. Approximately 1,000 questionnaires focusing on exposure information were sent to seven countries, with a 42 percent response rate. Eighty-two percent of companies reported that exposure measurements were taken to comply with legal requirements. Measurements were most often made for noise (84%), with 48% of companies measuring chemicals, 48 percent particulates but only 10 percent vibration. Measurements were most often taken for specific locations (73%), rather than for particular jobs (54%) or individual workers (50%). Eighty percent recorded location, sampling date, agents measured, and units of measurement, with about 70 percent recording job being sampled, sampling method, and duration and plant process, but less than 60 percent recording environmental conditions or worker details. Overall, only 10 percent of companies kept their exposure information forever, and 71 percent kept it for 10 years or less. Legislative requirements were most often cited as the reason for retention of records. The variation in the quantity and quality of measurements and the early destruction of records poses considerable problems for European research. Inaccuracy and misclassification of exposure limits the ability to establish causal relationships between effect and disease. Records should uniquely identify an individual worker and facilitate linkage to exposure and health effects information. Their format should be accessible, linkable, and secure. Data should be kept by an identifiable organization and there should be a secure chain of custody if a company goes out of business. Unless industry can be motivated to follow these guidelines the future of research into occupational causes of ill health, and in particular, the evaluation of exposure, will be limited.