Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #120225

Sheldon Samuels, Ramazzini Institute, P.O. Box 1570, Solomons, MD 20688, 410-326-2543, samuels@ramazziniusa.org

The role of occupational health physicians, many inspired by Dr. Irving Selikoff, in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration has helped to build a better OSHA.

His career at Mt. Sinai Medical Center spanned more than 50 years. Following clinical studies, he began ground-breaking research into the treatment of tuberculosis. Next came his vital work identifying and explaining the health effects of asbestos exposure among workers, conducting hands-on investigation on job sites. When denied access, he went to union halls to gather medical histories and clinical results.

Dr. Selikoff established the Environmental Science Laboratory at Mt. Sinai. The research approach he developed integrated medicine, industrial hygiene, molecular biology, statistics and epidemiology to analyze exposure-related health effects in the environment and in the workplace. He knew that doctors need to understand the workplace and the labor movement.

In studying occupationally and environmentally induced cancer and other diseases, he raised public awareness of health hazards, brought about more stringent legislation and controls, improved health and safety standards, helped ensure the health of future generations – and inspired young physicians to work in occupational health.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to

• Describe and discuss the role of occupational health physicians in building a workplace consistent with the objectives of the OSHAct.
• Describe and discuss the overall contribution of Irving Selifokk, M.D. to the development of occupational safety and health.
• Recognize how Dr. Selikoff's work led to better methods of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory research that spread into all areas of occupational health.

Keywords: Occupational Health,

Related Web page: www.ramazziniusa.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.