About OK International

Mission Statement

Occupational Knowledge International (OK International) works to build capacity in developing countries to identify, monitor, and mitigate environmental and occupational exposures to hazardous materials in order to protect public health and the environment. The organization provides technical assistance through partnerships, training, and environmental audit and certification programs, with a commitment to public health
tenets, scientific principles and corporate responsibility.

Description of Activities

The following is a brief description of our program areas:

Technical Assistance/ Grant making

We provide technical assistance and grant making to partner organizations in low and middle-income countries to facilitate exchange of information, build monitoring and testing capabilities, improve environmental regulatory structures, standards, and enforcement capacity. We work in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government and communities to conduct public health investigations and projects to reduce hazardous exposures. These activities are conducted by OK International staff and outside “peer” resources from government, the private sector, and other NGOs.

Public Health and Environmental Education

We specialize in providing environmental health education programs to further the knowledge of hazard controls in the workplace, emission reduction, and occupational hygiene practices. Our courses are generally custom designed for the intended audience and cover such topics as air sampling, respiratory protection, and environmental testing methods.

Exchange of Technology and Access to Technology

OK International facilitates the donation of environmental and occupational hygiene testing technology to partners with developing environmental programs and limited resources. We solicit donations from companies offering equipment, laboratory services or consulting services and donate these materials and support to governmental agencies and NGOs to develop capacity for public health and environmental programs.

Plant/Product Certification

We believe that there are opportunities to encourage cooperation between businesses and NGOs to improve environmental programs at industrial facilities and/or certify important attributes for safer or environmentally preferred products. For example, we have initiated and helped launch an environmental certification program for paints without added lead.

Dissemination of Information

The dissemination of information to help develop effective environmental legislation, improve enforcement mechanisms, and publicize research findings provides access to information for end users in government, NGOs and the private sector. By facilitating the transfer of this information, OK International also generates additional interest in our core program offerings.

For further information contact us at info@okinternational.org.