Exposure databases and exposure surveillance: promise and practice.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Recent advancements in occupational health and industry practices highlight the potential of integrated exposure database and surveillance systems.
• Existing efforts in electronic exposure databases, exposure assessment, and public health surveillance have largely developed in parallel.
• Merging these separate areas into unified exposure surveillance systems can leverage unique strengths from each discipline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a foundational framework for developing practical and effective exposure surveillance systems.
• To review current exposure surveillance practices in general industry.
• To identify strategies for improving the implementation of exposure databases and surveillance systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of exposure surveillance practices.
• Internet survey of industrial hygiene professionals.
• Overview of commercially available exposure database software packages.

Main Results:

• Few organizations currently utilize electronic exposure databases or active exposure surveillance systems, despite recognized benefits.
• The full promise of integrated exposure database and surveillance systems remains largely unrealized.
• Systems need to be more responsive to specific workplace or organizational needs for improved implementation.

Conclusions:

• Integrated exposure database and surveillance systems hold considerable promise for improving workplace health and safety.
• Further development is needed to create systems that better meet organizational and workplace-level requirements.
• Strategic implementation, guided by software overviews and practical examples, is key to realizing the potential of these systems.