Significance and utility of reference values in occupational medicine

Although it is generally accepted that reference values can be included among the instruments of modern occupational medicine, problems arise when applying them from clinical chemistry to the needs of occupational medicine. Here some general aspects regarding reference values beginning from their theoretical basis, their significance and importance and their possible use in occupational medicine are reviewed. Furthermore, their relationship with other more familiar 'guideline values', such as action levels and limit values, is demonstrated.