World Occupational Exposure Values Symposium Update

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World Occupational Exposure Values Symposium Update

The first-ever World Occupational Exposure Values Symposium is being

finalized under the guidance of the Organizing Committee chaired by M.

Zalk, and includes members from ten countries around the world.

Scheduled for November 2-6, 2001 in Brussels, Belgium, this Symposium will

consist of four Plenary Sessions and 12 Technical Forums. The sessions and

forums have been carefully planned to address the most relevant OEV topics

and to bring together the most preeminent scientists from throughout the

world for each of the Forums. Together, these presenters will represent a

faculty of nearly 50 experts at the twelve forums which are:

WOEVS Technical Forums and Arrangers

Sensory Irritation versus Substance Perception - Schaper, Ph.D.

(USA)

This session will address the differences, if any, between irritation and

perception (e.g., of odors), the data supporting or refuting such

differences, and the implications of these data for setting occupational

exposure values.

Adjustment of OEVs to Accommodate Changes in Working Circumstances - Doug

Wylie, CIH, ROH and Elias, MPH, CIH, CRSP (Canada)

This session will address how different conditions (such as temperature,

pressure, work rate, work-shift patterns, etc.) impact on occupational

exposure values, which are usually established for normal ambient

conditions.

Respiratory Sensitization to Low Molecular Weight Compounds - Dr. Ian Kimber

(UK) and Bruce Naumann, Ph.D., DABT (USA)

This session will address human and animal data that elucidate 1) the

mechanisms underlying respiratory sensitization and the development of

asthma and 2) exposure patterns or dose-response relationships associated

with sensitization.

Effects of Dust on the Lungs - Borm, Ph.D. (Germany)

Some dusts appear to have low inherent toxicity, but due to concentration or

size (or both), may cause health effects. This session will discuss the

current research in this area and the implications of data for setting

occupational exposure values.

Effects of Organic Solvent on the Nervous System - Masayuki Ikeda (Japan)

and Dr. Beverly Kulig (Netherlands)

This session will discuss methods used to measure these effects of organic

solvents, how measurements are compared with the effects caused by

commonly-encountered phenomena (e.g. age, diet, etc.), and the significance

of these effects to setting occupational exposure values.

Accounting for Variability in the Working Population - Len Levy (UK)

This session will address the issue of how to assess, predict and

accommodate variability (e.g. genetic, physiologic, etc.) within the working

population, when establishing occupational exposure values.

Mixtures - Ray Yang, Ph.D. (USA)

What is known, and what can be predicted about the way in which different

substances in a mixture inter-relate in the overall expression of the

mixture's toxicity? How should this knowledge be used when establishing

occupational exposure values?

Biological Limits - Mike , ScD., CIH(USA)

What are the role, value and practicality of biological limits as they

relate to occupational exposure values? What basis should be used for

establishing biological limits?

Practical Issues - Swuste (Netherlands)

This session will address the important practical considerations that may

influence the setting and application of occupational exposure values across

industries and countries.

Generic Occupational Exposure Values and Banding Schemes - Oldershaw,

Ph.D. (UK)

This session will address some alternative approaches to establishing

substance-specific occupational exposure values.

Setting Limits for Carcinogens - Prof. Dr. Heidrun Greim (Germany)

This session will address the issues surrounding the development of

occupational exposure values for carcinogens.

Dermal Effects: Update on Current Research of Dermal Effects and How This

Influences the Setting of OEVs - Prof. Gunnar Johanson, Ph.D. (Sweden)

According to Zalk, " There is evident excitement and enthusiasm for this

event. Now that the programming has been finalized and formalized, a

priority is to accrue more definite financial co-sponsorship and funding. In

order for WOEVS to provide the highest value, both for those who attend and

for occupational exposure values throughout the world, we are making

commitments to major expenses, especially to gather the world's experts at a

single and singular event. "

ACGIH Executive Director, Dick Strano added, " We have received a large

number of informal inquiries regarding financial sponsorship. This can take

several forms including, underwriting one of the twelve Forums at

$5,000-$10,000 or sponsoring a reception, coffee break, or luncheon at

$1,000-$9,000. Major general financial support ($50,000) for WOEVS is also

especially important as an acknowledgment of its worthiness and to help

assure future similar symposiums. Other ideas have been submitted by

potential donors, and all are welcome to 'design their own sponsorship.'

While there will be no formal exhibits, all sponsors will have available

display areas. "

The Organizing Committee and Forum Arrangers will now put the final touches

on the coordination and content of the Symposium. Registration materials,

along with definitive registration fees, will be available early next year.