Occupational Medicine 1977;27:13-19
© 1977 Society of Occupational Medicine
research-article |
Health Care of People at Work
ICI Ltd, Organics Division Blackley
The real responsibility in the chemical industry is to ensure that ‘the substance is safe and without risk to health when properly used’. This may involve animal or in vitro testing. An information service, a knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of the chemical and an awareness of the possibility of human exposure, are all vital to the assessment of the potential danger of a chemical.No method or series of methods of toxicological screening of industrial chemicals which is totally reliable seems to be available. Some animal and in vitro testing, for instance, has been well tried, and is worthy of continuing use by those who have an appreciation of these tests and their limitations. Recently developed short-term in vitro tests, aimed at forecasting possible carcinogenic activity of chemicals, look very hopeful, though at present the need for long-term animal testing is still recognized. The occupational health physician has a key role to play in the extrapolation of laboratory data to the human situation on the plant. There is still a need for the practising occupational health physician to be observant of the workforce, and to be aware of the importance of the ‘clinical hunch’.
0Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr J.S. Gardiner, ICI Ltd, Organics Division, Blackley, Manchester, M9 3DA.