Abstract

AUGUSTO, Lia Giraldo da Silva  and  FREITAS, Carlos Machado de. The Principle of Precaution in the use indicators of environmental chemical risks to occupational health. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 1998, vol.3, n.2, pp. 85-95. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81231998000200008.

Taking the Principle of Precaution as a reference, this article reviews critically the intensive use of isolated biological and environmental indicators to assess chemical exposition. Vigilance and monitoring occupational chemical risk relies mainly on analytical laboratory techniques. The need to develop interdisciplinary and participative approaches is felt by the authors, who propose the surpass of traditional monitoring health practices, and it's trend to subordinate the complex to the simple. According to the Principle of Precaution, biological as well as environmental indicators of exposure can only achieve their true value when applied within a global view of the system under analysis. This demands a comprehensive change of perspective in our scientific and social practices of chemical risk's control and prevention.

Keywords : Health Monitoring; Occupational Exposition; Chemical Risk; Principle of Precaution; Interdisciplinarity.