title: A hierarchical coding system for occupational exposure.
abstract: A 10-digit hierarchical method for coding occupationally encountered chemicals offering significant advantages over existing chemical coding systems has been developed and tested. With this unique system, substances are categorized and coded according to their composition and physical natures. Consequently, compounds of similar structure may be distinguished, and classes of similar compounds (for example, all halogenated organic compounds, all inorganic sulfates) can be readily retrieved. This novel coding system was developed to assist primarily in the identification of potential carcinogens in occupational studies using job exposure matrices. However, the system has wider applications as it can be employed by industry to facilitate data management and monitoring programs in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Band
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teschke
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Svirchev
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Spinelli
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000145:classification*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens