(1) Establishment of the Institute
While industrial health activities in Japan increased after the promulgation of the Labour Standards Law in 1947, the progress of science and technology have brought about the changes in the working environment, types of work and chemicals which produced variety of novel ill effects on the workers health in industries. To cope with these circumstances and to conduct research on the various problems as they relate to labour administration, the former National Institute of Industrial Health (Rodo Eisei Kenkyusho) was established as an attached organization of the Ministry of Labour in April of 1956.
Research activities at the Institute initially concentrated on the prevention of occupational diseases. Efforts were made to study the interaction between the workers and their working environment. From this point of view, emphasis was placed on industrial hygiene engineering, which had been the most neglected field of industrial health in Japan, as well as on the mental and physical effects of the work on office workers and the manufactory workers. The studies provided a scientific basis for assigning appropriate tasks to workers. Efforts were also made in industrial toxicology of the many chemical substances that were being brought into the workplace with technical innovation. In spite of its small size, the Institute made every efforts to solve the various problems of industrial health, some of which necessitated urgent action by the Government.
With the rapid progress in science and technology that was accompanied with the expansion of national economy in recent years, the workers' health became a very social problem. On the other hand, the numbers of elderly workers, female workers and latently handicapped or disabled workers are increasing rapidly in recent years, which demand the renewal of traditional industrial medicine based upon the averaged healthy worker. The problem of occupational cancer caused by various chemical substances that has become social problems requires monitoring of the worker's health not only during the period of a specific work but also the period after his withdrawal from the work. Forth improvement of the working environment, emphasis should also be placed on the construction and maintenance of an industrial environment adjusted to workers physiologically and psychologically, not only on the removal of hazardous materials from the workplace.
It is, therefore, necessary to investigate from a new point of view, the health, disability and diseases of workers by organized cooperative studies carried out by specialists in various fields of science. To meet this need, the establishment of a new institution capable of such research had been advocated by the Ministry of Labour since 1969.
In 1976, the Diet passed the Amendment to the Ministry of Labour Organization Act, and the present National Institute of Industrial Health (Sangyo Igaku Sogo Kenkyusho) was established in the Tama area of Kawasaki. The facility, opened in July. It aimed at interdisciplinary research for the promotion of workers' health, and studied the pathogenesis, diagnosis and prevention of occupational diseases.
(2) The Role of the National Institute of Industrial Health
As this Institute was established as part of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to perform interdisciplinary research that would promote workers' health and the prevention of occupational diseases, the basic research activities of the Institute and its development of practical technology should be in accordance with the needs of industrial health administration, and should provide scientific and technical information for the Labour Standards Administration. The main activities of the Institute are as follows.
A) Work management and human factor engineering in response to changes in working conditions
Workers today are faced with constant change in working conditions and environment dictated by market competition and rapid technological advances. Mechanization and automation of processes may improve the working conditions of many, but may also give rise to new problems. Intensive monitoring work may produce mental stress in the workers. The implementation of new patterns in working time may create new health problems. The widespread use of visual display terminals has become an important issue in workers health and safety. To address these emerging problems, the institute conducts researches to clarify relationships between work practices and health effects. Methods to evaluate and improve work practices and work organization are being developed.
B) Work capacity and fitness of women and the elderly
The current employment climate favours the hiring of young male workers. However, the structure of the working population will change due to the equal employment opportunity policy and aging society. More women and elderly peoples are expected to join the work force in the coming years. The institute has prioritized researches that will determine and elucidate the physiological functions and special characteristics of these groups of workers. The research outputs are intended to assist in the creation of a healthy and safe work environment for these working groups .
C) Prevention of illness caused by toxic substances
The number of illnesses due to toxic substances remains considerable despite the decreasing trend in recent years. Moreover, the numbers of workers at risk of developing related disorders have been increasing as shown by the results of health examinations. With the ultimate goal of preventing adverse health effects, the institute has taken steps to investigate comprehensively the toxicological characteristics of these substances. Studies on toxic chemicals seek to identify the routes of absorption, explain the metabolism in the body, and understand target organ manifestation, among others.
D) Biological monitoring
The institute recognizes the importance of early detection of changes in biological functions and early diagnosis of diseases in workers exposed to occupational hazards. Studies are underway to develop and refine monitoring methods using biological samples, such as blood and urine, as exposure indicators or as disease markers. We also investigate genetic differences in susceptibility to harmful agents.
E) Assessment of chemical hazards
Thousands of chemicals are already being used in the workplace whose risks have not been completely characterized. This problem is compounded by the introduction of a number of new substances each year. Toxicity of the new chemicals has to be assessed before they are introduced in the workplace. Investigations are also to be conducted with the emergence of previously unreported effects from substances already in use. The institute is developing screening tests for these chemicals in vivo and in vitro, while we conduct epidemiological studies to evaluate the hazards.
F) Assessment of physical hazards
Acute or chronic effects on health of workers may result from exposure to different physical hazards in the workplace. Studies are conducted to gather information that will foster better understanding of these hazards. Vibration, noise, illumination, non-ionizing radiation and temperature extremes are the priority areas of the institute s activities.
G) Work environment measurement, evaluation and countermeasures.
Implementation and improvement of hazard control rely heavily on the work environment measurement and evaluation. The institute s objective is to develop practical measurement methods, based on the physical and chemical properties of the substances, that will accurately characterize the workplace hazard. Research results also serve as inputs for the formulation of measurement policies and standards. As a countermeasure for hazardous substances in the workplace, studies are being conducted to identify optimal design of hoods and ducts for various tasks.
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