09/09/2016 11:50 am - 12:20 pm
Description
In easy terms exposome is the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime from conception to the grave. It looks at how these exposures relate to health and is a science still in its infancy. Today we have workplace exposure standards (WES) which are a set of thresholds for specific substances hazardous to health for which the adverse health effects would not be expected to occur among the workforce if the occupational exposure is kept well below the WES. So workplace often use use the WES as either a risk management tool or a compliance tool to work out occupational health risks arising from work. However, life is not always as simple as taking a measurement of a contaminant, physical or chemical, and being able to work out the risks. Take noise for instance, hearing loss can be caused by more than just exposure to excessive noise, chemicals, heavy metals and medicines could all play a part, but we don't look for these multiple exposures, just the simple one hazard answer. As science, technology and our understanding of the interactions of multiple exposures and their effects on human health advances we need to ask ourselves: Is there a need to look at how we do risk assessments and start moving towards a more holistic approach? This papare will explore this holistic concept and why in the future it may be good for business in developing better risk management strategies.