[Pneumoconiosis law and occupational physician]

Pneumoconiosis law describes mainly the medical examination and its treatment for health care management. The revision of the medical examination and construction of the law has been performed according to the times. The main revised points are 1) digital images such as CR and DR are accepted as a substitute of chest Xrays, 2) the standard values in pulmonary function test are based on values of Japanese, and 3) bronchogenic carcinoma was recognized as a complication of pneumoconiosis. It is important to maintain occupational health management in order to avoid the onset of pneumoconiosis. Furthermore, an official notice from the ministry of health, labour and welfare established guidelines for the treatment of manufactured nanomaterials. It is important to actively maintain and update occupational health management to protect against materials of unknown harmful effects.