As we look forward to the course ‘Asbestos – past and present exposures’ in Oslo this November, we asked course leader Torunn Ervik about the upcoming course and why asbestos is still important to discuss in 2024.

I am a senior scientist at the Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health, where I’m involved in occupational exposure assessments and the characterization of airborne particles.

Fieldwork and field sampling are important when it comes to occupational exposure studies. I think one of the challenges one may encounter when working with occupational exposures is obtaining sufficient data from real workplace situations.

Asbestos Exposures: an important and current issue to discuss in 2024

Asbestos fibres remains a significant occupational risk in some occupational fields. Even though asbestos has been banned in most European countries for many years, there are still many buildings, both private and governmental, that contain asbestos materials. Many craftspeople or construction workers may not be aware that they are handling materials that contain asbestos because the prevalence of asbestos-containing materials is not well documented. Consequently, in 2024, asbestos fibers remain a significant occupational risk in some fields. My goal is for our research to improve work environments and increase workers’ awareness of occupational exposure. There may be a 30- to 40-year latency period before you become ill from exposure to some construction-related dust particles, such as asbestos or quartz.

“My goal is for our research to improve work environments and increase workers’ awareness of occupational exposure“.

About the upcoming course

The course will provide participants with an overview of this important subject, covering health effects, exposure measurements, and fiber counting analysis. Participants will gain insight into recent findings and developments in the field, and the new EU directive will also be discussed. In addition to talks from experts on this topic, I believe the course will promote social connections, intellectual interchange, and beneficial discussions.

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Course: Asbestos- past and present exposures, 19th – 21st of November 2024, Quality Hotel 33, Oslo Norway

More information: Course web page | Course registration | Last registration date: 7.10.2024