Toxicology and drug testing in aviation.
The occupational physician working in the aviation industry must have some toxicological expertise. Airline production and maintenance operations, while similar to other large manufacturing facilities, use some exotic metals and composites with unique toxicity. Airport operations involve exposure of the ground crew to de-icing chemicals and jet fuels. Moreover, evaluation of drug test results requires a background in pharmacology, physiology, and laboratory methods. Frank response to employees and coordination of plans with industrial hygienists, managers, and employees are necessary when toxicological questions arise. This article also offers a Controversy (Substituted Urine: Offer a Retest or Not?).
Green
Kendall B
KB
Medical Department, American Airlines, PO Box 582809 MD4, Tulsa, OK 74158-2809, USA.
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods