The HSE Science and Research Centre hosted a workshop of the PEROSH Asbestos Network at its Buxton site on March 7th and 8th of 2024. The two days of discussion and scientific exchange were perfectly organized and hosted by Laurie Davies, James Staff and Eve Taylor from HSE. The institutes involved in this network are AUVA (Austria), BAuA (Germany), FIOH (Finland), HSE (UK), IFA (Germany), INAIL (Italy), INRS (France), INSST (Spain), NFA (Denmark), STAMI (Norway), and TNO (Netherlands, coordinator).
The PEROSH Asbestos Network was initiated with a project to harmonize the collection of exposure data and to enable the possibility to share information between institutes at the European level. Data from various institutes were used to explore the possibilities to derive a (general) conversion factor for comparison of results from different exposure assessment methods, and especially the different analytical techniques.
The collaboration between the institutes proved a great success and it was decided to continue the group as a PEROSH Asbestos Network on a permanent basis. The aim of the network is to promote the exchange of scientific and regulatory expertise and practical knowhow, with a focus on measurement and analysis of asbestos in the workplace.
On the first day of the workshop, challenges with regard to measuring and analysis of asbestos in view of the new EU Directive 2023/2668 and especially the lower EU OELs for asbestos were discussed. On the second day, two presentations on the progress made in the development of AI-assisted systems for automated filter counting were given by Asmus Meyer-Plath (BAuA) and Anders Brostrøm (NFA), including results on their application on asbestos-containing airborne dust. In addition to further developing knowledge on AI-based techniques, the Perosh network agreed on to engage in negotiating and defining requirements for trustworthy AI applications in the field of asbestos exposure assessment.
The network will give an overview of points-of-attention that will be shared with DG Employment as input for the preparation of the “Guidance for the safe management of asbestos at work”, as part of the implementation of the EU Directive. The network also suggests to be involved in workshops that are organized as part of the development of this Guidance, to provide input based on its asbestos-related regulatory and scientific expertise, practical experience and multinational perspective.
