3050 Guidance for occupational physicians on expanding their role into the field of environmental medicine in the petroleum industry

Overview:

Adverse health effects caused by airborne pollutants have been known for many years, mainly related to relatively high exposures to sulphur dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Health concerns diminished as measures were introduced to control atmospheric contamination. More recently concerns have been raised about the potential contribution which current levels of airborne contaminants may make to adverse health effects in the community such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and reproductive effects . If a significant problem does exist it is likely that causes are multifactorial, the activities of the petroleum industry being only one of a number of potential sources of exposure to atmospheric pollutants.

This document gives advice on how occupational physicians in the petroleum industry may extend their role into environmental medicine.