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January 2023

Fifty Years of the Institute of Occupational Medicine

In 2019, The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) celebrated fifty years of endeavour to understand and prevent occupational and environment in health with the publication of a book entitled Science with Purpose: 50 years of the Institute of Occupational Medicine. In this book, the authors, all of whom have been intimately associated with the institute, trace its history from foundation by the National Coal Board in 1969, through achieving independence in 1990 to its present role as a unique, independent, self-funding occupational and environmental health charity.

Over those fifty year there have been many achievements of international significance, and the authors describe these in individual chapters according to the different scientific specialities of the Institute’s scientists.

The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) is an organisation with a great history and unlimited potential for the future. This history of IOM provides a set of personal perspectives about the people, science and the major events that have shaped the organisation over the last 50 years.

This is a story of adaptation and imaginative evolution in the face of changing times for research and services in occupational health. It tells of a change in emphasis from coal dust to nanoparticles, from predominantly preventive medical research to mainly provision of consultative, training and measurement services, from doing it all alone to international and national collaborations, and from a UK emphasis to an international presence, especially across Europe and in Singapore.

In writing this book, the authors, all of whom have served in senior positions in IOM, have drawn heavily on their recollections as well as those of some current and former colleagues.

This book has been written in celebration of IOM’s 50th anniversary; it is intended to preserve and highlight the exceptional work of those that have passed through the Institute’s doors.

Do get hold of a copy of the book

Science with Purpose: 50 years of the Institute of Occupational Medicine
https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/health-wellbeing/science-with-purpose-50-years-of-the-institute-of-occupational-medicine-hb