Abstract

Since 1985, the IRSST has kept a databank (LIMS) of all analysis results related to measurements taken by public occupational health network teams. LIMS is currently the only significant source of electronic data in Québec. Data interpretation is limited, however, by a lack of information on sampling circumstances.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) database, IMIS, contains measurements collected by its inspectors since 1979 and provides more extensive information on sampling contexts than LIMS.

This project is the first comprehensive benchmarking of two information sources the size of LIMS and IMIS. The findings will establish the extent to which the two databases reveal the presence of chemicals in the same industries, and whether the reported concentrations are similar. Comparing the industries included LIMS and IMIS will identify which situations are under-represented in LIMS and for which U.S. data could be useful.

The study findings will expand the information base available for purposes of defining strategic and operational occupational health priorities in Québec.