The benefits and challenges of a voluntary occupational exposure database.

Objective: This article describes the experience of creating and implementing an occupational exposure database for synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs). The lessons learned and benefits achieved through this experience may be instructive to government and industry when assessing the need, utility, and design of an occupational exposure database for nanomaterials. Methods: This article consists of an empirical account ofthe issues faced during the construction and maintenance of an occupational exposure database for SVFs. Results: The occupation exposure database for SVF proved to be beneficial and successful but encountered several challenges relating to data consistency, data quality, and other problems. Conclusions: The SVF database provides a good case study to illustrate the potential benefits and challenges of creating and administering an occupational exposure database.