Gautier Mater1, Christophe Paris2, Jérôme Lavoué3. 1. Department of Pollutants Metrology, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. 2. Department of Occupational Diseases-INGRES EA7298, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy (CHRU), Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France. 3. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several countries have built databases of occupational hygiene measurements. In France, COLCHIC and SCOLA co-exist, started in 1987 and 2007, respectively. METHODS: A descriptive comparison of the content of the two databases was carried out during the period 1987-2012, including variables, workplaces and agents, as well as exposure levels. RESULTS: COLCHIC and SCOLA contain, respectively, 841,682 (670 chemicals) and 152,486 records (70). They cover similar industries and occupations, and contain the same ancillary information. Across 17 common agents with >500 samples, the ratio of the median concentration in COLCHIC to the median concentration in SCOLA was 3.45 [1.03-14.3] during 2007-2012. This pattern remained when stratified by industry, task, and occupation, but was attenuated when restricted to similar sampling duration. CONCLUSIONS: COLCHIC and SCOLA represent a considerable source of information, but result from different purposes (prevention, regulatory). Potential differences due to strategies should evaluated when interpreting data from these databases.
BACKGROUND: Several countries have built databases of occupational hygiene measurements. In France, COLCHIC and SCOLA co-exist, started in 1987 and 2007, respectively. METHODS: A descriptive comparison of the content of the two databases was carried out during the period 1987-2012, including variables, workplaces and agents, as well as exposure levels. RESULTS: COLCHIC and SCOLA contain, respectively, 841,682 (670 chemicals) and 152,486 records (70). They cover similar industries and occupations, and contain the same ancillary information. Across 17 common agents with >500 samples, the ratio of the median concentration in COLCHIC to the median concentration in SCOLA was 3.45 [1.03-14.3] during 2007-2012. This pattern remained when stratified by industry, task, and occupation, but was attenuated when restricted to similar sampling duration. CONCLUSIONS: COLCHIC and SCOLA represent a considerable source of information, but result from different purposes (prevention, regulatory). Potential differences due to strategies should evaluated when interpreting data from these databases.
Authors: Jean-François Sauvé; Hugh W Davies; Marie-Élise Parent; Cheryl E Peters; Marie-Pierre Sylvestre; Jérôme Lavoué Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2019-01-07 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Philippe Sarazin; Igor Burstyn; Laurel Kincl; Melissa C Friesen; Jérôme Lavoué Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-03-12 Impact factor: 2.179