Abstract

The electroplating industry is a complex work environment due to the nature of the processes and products used (including zinc, nickel and chromium). The monitoring of its workers' exposure introduces a problem for physicians because there are no biological exposure indices for these metals. The authors did a literature review to document the "exposure - health effect" and "air concentration - biological concentration" relationships of the main metals used in electroplating. They proceeded to do a critical analysis of the collected data, which can be used by physicians in the public health network to develop a guide for the medical monitoring of this industry's workers. Physicians will be better equipped to assess the scope and limitations of biological monitoring of the metals in this activity sector. The results of this project will also be integrated into the IRSST's biological monitoring guide.