ABSTRACT
A highly developed cadre of professional personnel in a variety of health disciplines is operating an Institute that is recognized as extremely competent, and forward thinking. In 1948, occupational health was a virgin field of endeavor in Peru. Consequently, great effort was invested in attracting competent, professionally trained or oriented personnel into this new discipline. The general objective was to eliminate occupational diseases but with specific emphasis to be given to the reduction of "pneumoconiosis" among the miners of Peru. It was expected that these actions would have a direct impact on the basic economy of this country and would result in increased productivity decreased compensation costs, and reduced labor turnover. This should have resulted in a general improvement of the political stability and social development of the Peruvian laboring class. The Institute of Occupational Health of Peru and its predecessor, the Department of Industrial Hygiene, have served since 1952 as a training center for 22 Latin Americans.
