Objective Risk assessment for non-cancer outcomes is often based on a synthesis of epidemiological and toxicological data. As with carcinogens a decision has to be made if these effects occur via a stochastic mechanism of action or if a ‘safe’ occupational exposure limit can be derived based on observed lower of no effect levels within the experimental or observational data. If a stochastic mechanism is assumed (e.g. allergens) than it is assumed that every level of exposure to such substances, no matter how low, entails a certain risk of developing an adverse outcome and risk-based limits could be calculated.

Results Within the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Standards (DECOS), and other similar bodies in the EU, more and more evaluations are based on epidemiological data indicating the importance of the field of occupational epidemiology. While in 1995 0% of the evaluations of the Dutch DECOS were based on epidemiological evidence, currently this is more than 30%.

Discussion In this presentation, we will discuss recent evaluations on benzene (based on a non-cancer outcome), and wheat and other cereal flour dusts as to explore how occupational epidemiologic studies provide important information about the risks associated with exposures encountered by workers and the public at large.