The 2nd International Symposium on Wood Dust
May 17-18, 2011

NEW! Included with your AIHce registrations!

AIHA^® is pleased to host the 2nd International Symposium on Wood Dust. This prestigious program, featuring some of the most prominent international researches on this subject, will be held concurrently with AIHce 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

The Symposium is offered as an optional, stand-alone event at AIHce and is included in the AIHce 2011 registration fee. Individuals who would like to attend ONLY the symposium may register separately; see Registration + Hotel for details.

The 1st International Congress on Wood Dust: Challenges for Occupational Risk Assessment and Management was held at the Palais des Congrés in Strasbourg, France in October, 2006. The goal of the 2nd International Symposium is to bring together researchers, industrial hygienists, practitioners of occupational medicine, toxicologists, and government officials to discuss the latest developments in particle characterization, sampling and analysis, exposure assessment, human health effects, toxicology and biological mechanisms, epidemiology and risk assessment, and risk management controls.

Wood Dust and Worker Health

Wood dust is implicated in an increased prevalence of certain workplace respiratory symptoms and diseases. However, the action mechanism of wood dust at the molecular, cellular or tissue level to produce these symptoms and diseases is not well understood. Recent estimates in 25 countries suggest 3.6 million workers are exposed to wood dust, with one-third employed in construction carpentry. In France, Decree No. 2003-1254 set an inhalable limit for wood dust in workplaces at 1 mg/m³ coming into force in 2005.

Also in 2005, ACGIH^® confirmed the same value as their threshold limit value (TLV) for wood dust, and the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) is also 1 mg/m³. Sixty-two percent (62%) of the estimated total of exposed workers (2.2 million) in Europe are thought to be exposed above this value. Both the numbers of workers exposed and the exposure levels are considered to be similar in North America. It is estimated in Europe that 79% of the exposed construction workers which represent 9% of all construction workers, are exposed daily to more than 1 mg/m³ of inhalable wood dust.

Read more background information on wood dust exposure from the Department of Labor.

Program

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

• WD 501 Health Effects and Exposure Studies 9:00 a.m. – Noon

• Wood Dust Posters Noon – 1:00 p.m.

  • Authors present to discuss research and answer questions

• WD 502 Health Effects and Limit Values 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

• WD 503 Monitoring and Control 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm

Official Language

The official language is English.

Portland – the Perfect Location

Portland, Oregon provides the perfect location for the 2nd International Symposium on Wood Dust. The lumber industry in the Pacific Northwest has long been an economic driver in this region, supplying many jobs for the community.  Many universities in the area have conducted research about wood dust. Plus, Portland with its natural beauty, diverse neighborhoods, walkable downtown, and casual atmosphere is a great place to visit!

Symposium Co-Chairs

Dr Martin Harper, CIH, NIOSH
mharper@cdc.gov

Dr. Peter Görner, INRS (France)
peter.gorner@inrs.fr

Sponsors