The evolution of occupational health and prevention in Italy. Primary trends: Adverse effects related to low exposure levels of toxics

In Italy, a set of laws, together with academic research and complex modes of intervention at the workplace, have helped to prevent occupational diseases and monitor workers' health. In the course of the last century, occupational medicine was organised in the following way: 1. University Institutes and Specialised Training Schools, 2. Occupational Health Departments in hospitals, Aziende Sanitarie Locali (ASL, Local Health Units) and workplaces, 3. Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro (ISPESL, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention), 4. Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL, The National Institute for Work Accident Insurance), 5. The work of "competent" physicians as established by European law. In addition there is also the Società Italiana di Medicina del Lavoro ed Igiene Industriale (SIMLII, Italian Association of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene). Founded in 1929, this organisation includes among its members occupational health physicians employed in the aforementioned institutions. The authors give a detailed account of the objectives and activities of each of the above-mentioned institutions. An example of primary research trends in occupational health and prevention is investigation into the adverse effects of exposure to low doses of toxics. This has been and continues to be of interest for the authors' own Institute where in vitro, in vivo and epidemiologic studies are being carried out in this direction.