The ability to assess the exposure of individuals or groups is a critical element in any effective health surveillance system, as it provides the opportunity to identify the causes of ill health, the levels of exposure resulting in ill health and, through controlling exposures, to protect the health of Service personnel. As part of a wider programme to enhance the health surveillance capabilities of the Defence Medical Services, a project was undertaken to assess the collection and retention of data for exposure assessment in the United Kingdom's Armed Forces. The systems investigated include those for health, safety and environment policy, personnel and pay, medical records, environmental and occupational monitoring and historical records. It was found that the use of many systems for exposure assessment would be hampered by inconsistencies in the data collected, poor accessibility and linkage, and variability in the retention of the data. This paper highlights some of the problems that limit the usefulness of the record systems for exposure assessment and summarizes the principal recommendations made for enhancing the systems to better facilitate health surveillance.

The causes and effects of exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) are well documented, and many countries maintain records of annual deaths arising from CO poisoning incidents. Many such incidents are associated with the use of badly installed, poorly maintained or malfunctioning domestic combustion appliances or with the use of such appliances in poorly ventilated rooms. However, the prolonged sequelae of acute CO poisoning and the chronic effects of long-term exposure to lower levels of CO are not well understood. The home environment is particularly important because of the possibility of unrecognised long-term, low-level exposure to CO. Furthermore, the common problem of missed or misdiagnosis of CO poisoning can result in exposed individuals being given inappropriate treatment and being returned to a hazardous situation.

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The causes and effects of exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) are well documented, and many countries maintain records of annual deaths arising from CO poisoning incidents. Many such incidents are associated with the use of badly installed, poorly maintained or malfunctioning domestic combustion appliances or with the use of such appliances in poorly ventilated rooms. However, the prolonged sequelae of acute CO poisoning and the chronic effects of long-term exposure to lower levels of CO are not well understood. The home environment is particularly important because of the possibility of unrecognised long-term, low-level exposure to CO. Furthermore, the common problem of missed or misdiagnosis of CO poisoning can result in exposed individuals being given inappropriate treatment and being returned to a hazardous situation.