The contribution of Enrico C. Vigliani to the international development of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene

Introduction
One of the most relevant personalities in Occupational Medicine of the last century was Enrico Carlo Vigliani (1907-1992), director of the “Clinica del Lavoro” in Milan from 1942 to 1977. The 20th anniversary of his death provides us with the opportunity to comment on his role in improving knowledge in the field of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene at international level.

Methods
We analyzed records from the Library of the “Clinica del Lavoro” and ICOH Archives.

Results
In the 1930s, as a young doctor, Vigliani was the first in the world to show the effect of lead on porphyrin metabolism. In 1950s he and his co-workers achieved pioneering results on the immune pathogenesis of silicosis, substantially influencing the European research on this disease. His original studies on the benzene-induced leukaemia promoted the recognition of the carcinogenicity of this solvent by the IARC in 1963. As Editor-in-Chief of the journal “La Medicina del Lavoro”, he contributed to the diffusion of the German studies on the carcinogenicity of asbestos (forerunners of Doll’s 1950s studies) and in 1960 he immediately supported Chris Wagner’s studies on pleural mesothelioma. Vigliani’s scientific authority was widely recognized internationally, as confirmed by his role in ICOH (then “Permanent Commission and International Association on Occupational Health”), first as its Secretary-Treasurer (1957-1975) and later as its President (1975-1981). During his period of active service, the Commission developed from an academic institution to a more open association, substantially increasing its membership. Furthermore, during his mandate, he contributed to establish subcommittees devoted to specific topic (now named “scientific committees”), one of the strengths of the present Commission.

Discussion
Vigliani provided original contributions to Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, well acknowledged at international level. These works were expressions of his genial eclecticism which ranged from clinic to environment.