CQU lecturer Darren Joubert has won a prestigious national research award for bringing attention to the adverse effects of professional driving on reproductive health.

Mr Joubert has been awarded the 3M Australia Occupational Hygiene Prize for 2004 for his conference paper: "a well-written, incisive review of an intractable problem".

His winning paper was entitled: "Professional driving and adverse reproductive outcomes: the evidence to date and research challenges".

Darren presented the paper, part of a future PhD, at the 22nd Annual Conference of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists in Perth in December.

The paper was "a review of the current evidence in the literature regarding the links between reproductive problems and whole-body vibration (wbv) exposure in professional drivers, both male and female".

The paper also addressed the lack of evidence in the scientific literature and the difficulties in conducting epidemiological research in this field.

"Many authors have mentioned in their published literature that it is important that this area be studied further to ascertain what the impact of wbv exposure is on professional drivers," Mr Joubert explained.

"Despite the limited evidence that exists in the literature, anecdotal evidence does exist suggesting that this may be a problem”.

The occupational health issues with professional driving are especially relevant in Australia where the vast distances of the continent require increased travel for transportation of goods. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of women joining the mining industry and driving heavy machinery.

Mr Joubert believes wbv exposure could be linked to both male and female reproductive problems and intends to continue his research into the affects of wbv exposure on male drivers in his future PhD, investigating erectile dysfunction as a possible effect of professional driving.

For an interview/details contact Darren Joubert on 4930 6905.