TE0020 - OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AND INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY

Occupational medicine (OM) is a preventive medicine aiming at safeguarding the health of workers which, besides the medical acts, involves the evaluation and control of the release of dangerous substances in the workplace and in the environment. OM is based on updated specialized medical knowledge. This knowledge is based on human toxicology data and epidemiological studies on workers exposed to industrial substances. Positive outcomes for the sustainable productivity and the environment are linked to the application of OM principles and knowledge. The control of the industrial working environment from the toxicological point of view is one of the main objectives to acquire skills to conduct research and analysis on potential contaminants and levels of exposure. This recovery and restoration of environmental conditions is of fundamental importance, since the environment must be considered as a factor that can directly affect the health of workers, and their families and the general population, too. Chemical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing represent main industrial activities worldwide and are potential sources of toxic contaminants in the workplace and in the environment. Sustainable productivity is firstly achieved through the safeguard of workers health by controlling substances release at workplace and, hence, is indirectly linked to the application of OM.