In May and June 2019, we went to Norway to spend one week (two weeks respectively) at the Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) in Oslo. This exchange was an extraordinary and exciting experience for us and we are very thankful for this opportunity.
We spent most of the time in the department of chemical and biological work environment. In the beginning, we were given a tour through the whole building. The staff introduced themselves and gave us a very friendly and warm welcome. Earlier on, we recognized that there are several similarities, but also some significant differences between STAMI and DGUV, especially IFA. The field of work at STAMI is focused a lot more on research and specific projects. The routine analytics is in a smaller extent and differently organized compared to IFA. There is one person in charge for the organization, performance, evaluation and reporting of measurements and results.
During our stay, we had the chance to collaborate with several colleagues of different fields of work. We had the chance to join i.e.:
- Exposition database EXPO
- Analysis of VOC via TD-GC-MS
- Analysis of endotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and terpenes in air samples
- Project cancer risk among firefighters
- A trip to Akland to perform measurements concerning laser cutting
- Equipment administration
- Asbestos in plasters and fillers
- Evaluation of TEM-Grids via scanning electron microscopy
These subjects included familiar fields as well as new ones. We exchanged views and experiences with colleagues from similar fields of work. We talked about methods and analytical challenges, which was extremely valuable. We also joined subjects that we do not usually work at. This gave us a brief insight to the versatility of work at STAMI.
Subsequent to the visit at STAMI we took part in the conference “Environmental and Occupational Health Aspects Related to Nano- and Ultrafine Particulate Matter” hosted by STAMI in Loen. The five main topics of the conference were health effects of nano and ultrafine particles, the exposition of ultrafine particles, analysis, risk assessment and minimization and toxicological mechanisms.
We would like to thank Pål Molander, Dietmar Reinert, Nils Petter Skaugset, Balazs Berlinger and Dietmar Breuer for making this stay possible. It was a great experience for us with enduring impressions, professionally and personally.
Maria Hesse & Bianca Gasse
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance
Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.V. (DGUV)
Alte Heerstr. 111, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
E-mail: Maria.Hesse@dguv.de, Bianca.Gasse@dguv.de
Phone: +49 30 13001-3223
https://www.dguv.de/ifa
