Documents Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki 23 results

"The development, production and technological applications of carbon nanotube are rapidly growing, due to the unique characteristics of these fibers. Consequently, an increase is also expected in human exposure to such materials. However, little is still known about the safety of the multiple sorts of carbon nanotubes.
Recent studies have suggested that some types of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have similar effects as asbestos. This report shows that rigid, long and needle-like MWCNTs induce inflammation and DNA damage in the lungs and in cultured cells, while flexible, long and tangled MWCNTs do not. It appears that the rigidity of MWCNTs is a key feature in triggering a specific inflammatory reaction and in causing cellular alterations involved in cancer formation.
These results provide new information on the adverse effects of MWCNTs and are useful in assessing which forms of MWCNTs require regulatory attention and special safety measures in occupational settings."

"The memorandum from the Occupational Cancer Working Group 2013 is meant to update the suggestions made in the Memorandum from the Occupational Cancer Working Group from 1988. Its aim is to give recommendations regarding the diagnosis and compensation of occupational cancers. In addition to the recommendations regarding the compensation of occupational cancers, the working group also takes a stand on the screening of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, the forming of a special group of experts for occupational cancer diagnostics, the combining of gathered exposure information on asbestos, and the use of X-ray imaging determining the occurrence date for asbestosis. The memorandum is published by Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in cooperation with the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM), the Finnish Federation of Accident Insurance Institutions (TVL), as well as medical experts from the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)."

"Occupational health services (OHS) are part of the social and health policies of the European Union. OHS has been studied mainly as a national system, as part of a system of occupational health and safety, or as an activity- and process-based service unit for employers and employees. The focus has often been on risk assessment and the prevention of diseases, injuries and accidents. OHS has also gained attention among social partners, such as trade unions and employers' organizations during bargaining and negotiations on compensations for ill health. This study focuses on OHS in the context of the EU and on OHS as part of the work-based benefits provided to workers in welfare states. The study is a policy study on the impact of EU policies, and uses OHS as a case to demonstrate transnational legislation and governance in EU member states. The main reason for choosing the policy process perspective was an obvious need for empirical analysis of OHS in the contexts of the EU, transnational decision-making, and policy environments. The study explores the development of OHS in 15 member states of the European Union at the turn of millennium. The study material included interviews and various types of documents. "

"This document describes the structures and practices of occupational health services (OHS) in 17 European countries, with particular regard to aspects that have a bearing on service quality. The survey describes the features, regulatory background and OHS practices, and demonstrates the heterogeneity and complexity of the policies and practices of OHS in Europe. The presentation of OHS in Europe is of considerable scope, and can therefore be useful to all those involved in the planning and administration of OHS at national or international levels."