Retrospective exposure assessment in the Norwegian offshore petroleum industry. A seminar adressing the methods and challenges of retrospective exposure assessment

On March 21, 2007 a group of invited international and national experts, and participants from a wide variety of institutions in Norway representing regulatory agencies, oil companies, contractors, regional occupational health departments, and research institutions met in Stavanger, Norway to discuss retrospective exposure assessment in the Norwegian Petroleum Industry. The one-day seminar was organized as a plenary session with presentations followed by a panel discussion and comments from the participants. The participants heard invited presentations from the international experts. Topics addressed in the presentations were: a) Qualitative and semi-quantitative methods for retrospective exposure assessment b) Quantitative methods for retrospective exposure assessment and use of biomarkers in assessing exposure c) Methods for assessing dermal exposure d) Retrospective assessment of benzene exposure in the Australian petroleum industry. In addition to the four international experts two national experts presented: a) An exposure assessment project on carcinogens in the Norwegian offshore industry b) A prospective cohort of Norwegian Petroleum workers established by the Cancer Registry of Norway. An attempt has been made to present major issues confronting the field of retrospective exposure assessment in the Norwegian Petroleum Industry, and several clear messages come through this report. 1. The industry [...]