The development of an Australian database of wood dust exposures: Issues and future directions

Abstract

In 2006, the University of Adelaide was asked to construct a database framework and develop a profile of wood dust exposures in the Australian wood industry. This article provides a perspective on the feasibility of collecting existing data from various sources in order to assess exposure, and compares this with the United Kingdom approach. Information on the exposed workforce and wood usage was gathered from a combination of Australian Bureau of Statistics data and a random telephone survey in South Australia. Data were gathered from regulatory agencies, the wood industry, research groups, occupational hygiene consulting companies, and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists. However, simply requesting information may have resulted in a bias, particularly as many small businesses would not have conducted monitoring. In view of this limitation, it was concluded that targeted survey work, as has been conducted in the UK, is a more reliable strategy for exposure pro development and trend assessment.