Reports Of Occupational Diseases Research Articles

Analysis on the diagnosis of suspected occupational diseases in Guangzhou from 2014 to 2019

Objective: To understand the diagnosis of suspected occupational diseases reported in Guangzhou from 2014 to 2019, so as to provide theoretical basis and technical support for the supervision of suspected occupational disease reports. Methods: By cluster sampling, the suspected occupational disease report card, occupational disease report card and pneumoconiosis report card reported by Guangzhou from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019 in the occupational disease and occupational health information monitoring system were collected for matching analysis to understand the diagnosis of suspected occupational disease patients. Results: From 2014 to 2019, a total of 1426 suspected occupational cases in 7 categories and 32 species were reported in Guangzhou. The average number of reported cases per year was about 240. The main diseases of suspected occupational diseases were suspected occupational noise deafness (68.44%, 976/1426) , suspected occupational chronic benzene poisoning (16.48%, 235/1426) , suspected occupational other pneumoconiosis (4.84%, 69/1426) , suspected occupational silicosis (3.23%, 46/1426) and suspected occupational welder pneumoconiosis (1.82%, 26/1426) . The diagnostic rate required to enter the occupational disease diagnostic program is 36.61% (522/1426) , and the diagnostic rate is 59.20% (309/522) . In 2019, the diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases was the lowest (23.92%, 61/255) , Huadu District was the lowest (8.33%, 9/108) , suspected occupational pneumoconiosis was the lowest (28.03%, 44/157) , the diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases reported by the Centers for Disease control and prevention was the lowest (17.43%, 19/109) , and the diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases reported by outpatient treatment was the lowest (22.22%, 2/9) . The suspected occupational diseases reported by institutions outside Guangzhou did not enter the occupational disease diagnosis procedure. Suspected occupational skin diseases, suspected occupational diseases caused by physical factors and suspected occupational tumors were diagnosed, and the diagnosis rate of occupational disease prevention and control institutions was the highest (94.87%, 37/39) . Conclusion: The main types of suspected occupational diseases reported during these six years are noise deafness, chronic benzene poisoning and pneumoconiosis. The overall diagnosis rate and diagnosis rate of suspected occupational diseases are not high. It is suggested to improve the network direct reporting system of suspected occupational diseases and strengthen the follow-up management and supervision of suspected occupational diseases.

Analysis of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning reported online and subsequent diagnosis in Jiangsu Province from 2014 to 2018

Objective: To understand the distribution and characteristics of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning reported online by Jiangsu Province, and to track the final diagnosis of suspected cases. Methods: The suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases in Jiangsu Province reported online from 2014 to 2018 were collected as the survey objects. Based on the reporting of the Occupational Disease Report Card from January 1, 2014 to November 5, 2019, the distribution characteristics and reporting institutions of suspected cases and final confirmed cases were analyzed. Results: From 2014 to 2018, 312 cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning were reported online in Jiangsu Province. There were significant differences in the number of online reported cases of occupational chronic lead poisoning, online reported cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning and confirmed cases of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning in different years (P<0.05) , especially in 2015. Among the suspected occupational lead poisoning cases reported online, 236 cases (75.6%) were male, mainly distributed in the manufacturing industry, and 246 cases (79.1%) were operators. All the suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online were concentrated in private enterprises, 229 cases (73.4%) in small and medium-sized enterprises. The top three cities were Suqian with 111 cases (35.6%) , Yangzhou with 79 cases (25.3%) and Huai'an with 50 cases (16.0%) . From 2014 to 2018, 19 suspected cases of occupational chronic lead poisoning were finally confirmed in Jiangsu Province, with a diagnosis rate of 6.1%. Conclusion: The majority of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online in Jiangsu Province are men, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises, and the final diagnosis rate of suspected occupational chronic lead poisoning cases reported online is low.

Ärztliches Meldeverhalten von Berufskrankheiten in Österreich am Beispiel Mesotheliom

Reporting of occupational diseases by physicians in Austria based on the example of mesothelioma Background: Physicians and employers in Austria have a duty to report the well-founded suspicion of the existence of an occupational disease to the responsible accident insurance institution. In particular, an occupational disease report must be made as a matter of principle in the case of mesothelioma, which is highly likely to be caused by job-related exposure to asbestos. Methods: In the pilot study, the available data on mesothelioma cases from Statistics Austria (StatAT) were compared with the corresponding cases of the General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA) that were recognised as an occupational disease during the period from 2004 to 2016. Results: The results show that during the period under observation only about 40% of the mesothelioma cases registered by StatAT were recognised by AUVA as an occupational disease. There are some significant differences in the recognition rate if the cases of disease are differentiated according to the individual federal states of Austria where the enterprises are located in which the mesothelioma cases have occurred. Conclusions: The reasons for the relatively low recognition rate of mesothelioma cases in Austria can be complex. It is most likely that the relatively low recognition rate is related to poor reporting practice on the part of physicians. In order to improve this situation, appropriate information campaigns should be carried out among physicians in Austria. Keywords: occupational disease – cancer – mesothelioma – occupational disease report

Analysis on human brucellosis from national reports in China, 2006-2016

Objective To characterize the features of human brucellosis from national reports of occupational diseases and infectious diseases in China during 2006-2016, and explore the correlations between human brucellosis with the livestock and their products. Methods From January to October 2018, the data of human brucellosis were extracted from China's annual national reports of occupational diseases and infectious diseases from government circulars during 2006-2016. The data on the number of livestock and the output of livestock products were obtained from China Statistical Yearbook, China Animal Industry Yearbook and China Animal Industry and Veterinary Yearbook. The standards of Diagnosis of occupational infectious disease (GBZ 227-2017) and Diagnostic criteria for brucellosis (WS 269-2007) were compared. The statistics were analyzed using Excel 13.0 and SPSS software 22.0. The linear regression and multiple regression were used to explore the relationships between human brucellosis with the number of livestock and the output of livestock products. Results The diagnosis of human brucellosis in national reports of occupational diseases was based on GBZ 227-2017, which referred to WS 269-2007. There is an increasing trend from 2006 to 2009, and then declined to 2011, but rebounded from 2012 onwards in human brucellosis in national reports of occupational diseases. The general trend showed an increase during the 2006-2014 period, and then a decrease onwards in human brucellosis in national reports of infectious diseases. The Spearman correlation from SPSS showed the rs value of 0.936 (P<0.001) between human brucellosis cases in national reports of occupational diseases and infectious diseases in China from 2006 to 2016. Human brucellosis had a seasonal and periodic trend, and the cases revealed an epidemic period from April to August, with a peak in June. Human brucellosis cases were positively correlated with the number of cattle and buffaloes, hogs, sheep and goats (P<0.05) , and the output of pork, beef and mutton (P<0.05) . And human brucellosis cases in national reports of infectious diseases were positively associated with the output of sheep wool (β=0.814) , goat wool (β=0.603) , and cashmere (β=0.562) . Conclusion Human brucellosis both in national reports of occupational diseases and infectious diseases remain severe in China. There are relationships between human brucellosis with the number of livestock and the output of livestock products. Key words: Human brucellosis; Occupational diseases; Communicable diseases; Diagnostic criteria; Regression analysis

Analysis of new occupational diseases in Hengyang from 2006 to 2017

Objective: To analyze the situation of new occupational diseases in Hengyang City from 2006 to 2017, and put forward prevention and control strategies. Methods: The data of the new occupational disease report of Hengyang city in the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Information Monitoring System from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2017 was collected, and the age, working years, and the region and industry of the new occupational disease patients were analyzed. Results: From 2006 to 2017, there were 7 categories, 30 kinds and 2 110 cases of new occupational diseases in Hengyang City, including 1 117 cases of pneumoconiosis, 951 cases of chronic occupational poisoning, 15 cases of acute occupational poisoning, 12 cases of occupational otolaryngological and stomatological diseases, 7 cases of occupational skin diseases, 6 cases of occupational diseases caused by physical factors, and 1 case of occupational eye diseases(cataracts), 1 case of occupational tumor (lung cancer and skin cancer caused by arsenic and its compounds). New occupational diseases were mainly concentrated in Changning and Leiyang County-level city (87.82%, 1 853/2110), among which occupational poisoning had the most incidence in Changning County-level city (97.83%, 945/966), and pneumoconiosis had the most incidence in Leiyang County-level city (67.05%, 749/1 117). New occupational diseases were mainly concentrated in the manufacturing and mining industries (95.59%, 2 017/2 110). Pneumoconiosis (63.74%, 712/1 117) and acute occupational poisoning (60.00%, 9/15) were mainly caused by small businesses. Chronic occupational poisoning (61.62%, 586/951) and occupational otolaryngological and stomatological diseases (75.00%, 9/12) were mainly caused by large enterprises. Conclusion: The new occupational diseases in Hengyang city are mostly pneumoconiosis and chronic occupational poisoning, and we should focus on strengthening the prevention and control of occupational diseases in the mining industry and manufacturing industry.

Retrospective evaluation of exposure to natural UV radiation: experiences with the online UV history tool in a field study.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and multiple actinic keratoses can be recognized as occupational diseases if the site affected has been subjected to additional occupational UV exposure of at least 40%. An online UV history tool that allows for the quantification of occupational and recreational UV doses was now tested in a field study. Ninety-nine patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer were examined. Patient history with respect to UV exposure was obtained using the online UV history tool. Initial validation was carried out with data from ten additional patients. In the context of a pilot study, the applicability of the tool was assessed using a questionnaire. Overall, patient history revealed a UV exposure between 3,792 and 53,163SEDs. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, or Bowen's disease (n = 22) had significantly higher SED values and were significantly older (73 vs. 66 years) than patients with basal cell carcinoma (n = 77). Occupational UV exposure was reported by 19 patients, two of whom showed an additional occupational UV exposure of more than 40%, which prompted the filing of a (suspected) occupational disease report. With respect to validation, there was evidence of good inter-investigator reliability. The applicability of the tool was rated as good. The online UV history tool enables quick retrospective quantification of occupational and recreational UV exposure in case of suspicion of the occupational disease "cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratoses caused by natural UV radiation".

Incidence and trend of occupational diseases in Ningbo, China, from 2006 to 2015

Objective: To investigate the incidence, distribution features, and incidence trend of occupational diseases in Ningbo, China, from 2006 to 2015. Methods: In February 2016, the data on occupational disease report cards in the occupational disease and occupational health information system from 2006 to 2015 were collected to perform a comprehensive analysis of the types, incidence trend, population characteristics, and enterprise characteristics of occupational diseases. Results: There were 845 new cases of occupational diseases in Ningbo from 2006 to 2015, among which 596 (70.53%) were pneumoconiosis; there were 445 (74.66%) cases of stage I pneumoconiosis, 73 (12.25%) cases of stage II pneumoconiosis, and 78 (13.09%) cases of stage III pneumoconiosis; silicosis (59.76%) was the most common type of pneumoconiosis. Of all patients with occupational diseases, 84.97% were male, 64.50%were aged 35-55 years, and 63.67% had 5-20 working years. Most of the patients with occupational diseases worked in small and medium-sized private (or foreign) enterprises; the most common industries were black metal smelting and rolling (38.76%) , construction (17.11%) , and non-metallic ore mining (13.09%) . A total of 51.28%, 10.26%, and 7.69% of the patients with occupational poisoning worked in the electric apparatus manufacturing industry, furniture manufacturing industry, and chemical raw material and chemical product manufacturing industry, respectively. The cases of occupational diseases are mainly distributed in Yuyao City (24.62%) , Yinzhou District (23.91%) , and Ninghai County (15.62%) . Conclusion: Pneumoconiosis is the most common type of occupational disease in Ningbo and most of these patients work in small and medium-sized private (or foreign) enterprises. The supervision of small and medium-sized private enterprises should be enhanced to protect workers' health.

Notificación de accidentes y enfermedades laborales al Ministerio de Trabajo. Perú 2010-2014

In order to determine trends in accidents and illnesses reported to the Ministry of Labor of Peru, a descriptive study of secondary data from the reports of monthly newsletters from September 2010 to December 2014 was performed. At the national level, 54,596 non-fatal accidents were reported. The rates of non-fatal accidents increased in 2011-2013 (296.5 in 2011, 955.9 in 2012 and 1176.3 in 2013), decreasing in 2014 (878.9). There were 674 fatal accidents whose rates increased between 2011 and 2012 and were reduced between 2013 and 2014. 346 occupational diseases were reported; the most frequent were cases of hearing loss (77), illness by inadequate postures (57) and allergic dermatitis (44). Reports declined from 6.9 in 2011 to 2.3 in 2014. Reports of occupational diseases were declining, which could indicate significant underreporting.

Occupational diseases in the people's Republic of China between 2000 and 2010

This study provides a description and analysis of the development of occupational diseases in China as recorded in the official statistics during the period 2000-2010, identifies major challenges, and explores possible solutions for prevention and control. In-depth textual analysis and data analysis of China's annual national reports of occupational diseases, as well as of corresponding policy and regulation documents. The number of recorded cases of occupational diseases increased rapidly in China between 2000 and 2010. Pneumoconiosis was the most prevalent category of occupational diseases. Chemical poisonings accounted for 13% of the cases of occupational diseases. Difficulties in diagnosis and inefficient surveillance are major impediments to the mitigation of occupational diseases. The new definition of occupational disease has provided an opportunity to enlarge the Catalogue of Occupational Diseases. Improved coordination of the different chemical regulations meant to protect human health may also facilitate the prevention of occupational disease.

Epidemiología del síndrome del túnel carpiano de origen laboral en la provincia de Alicante: 1996-2004

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the major health problems of workers who perform tasks entailing intense manual stress and repetitive movements of the upper limbs. The implementation of regulations and social changes, as well as the incorporation of women into the working world bring to bear the need of ascertaining whether any changes have taken place in the pattern of occurrence of this syndrome and in the factors conditioning the same. The objectives of this study are to know the frequency with which this syndrome occurs in the province of Alicante, to discover the work-related characteristics of those individuals affected thereby, to analyze the procedure followed for treatment and rehabilitation and to delve into the situation of those affected upon their return to work. Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The population studies was comprised of all those workers for whom an occupational disease report was remitted to the Safety and Health Commission within the 1996-2004 period. A total of 266 reports of occupational disease due to carpal tunnel syndrome were filed. The incidence rate was 4.2 cases per 100,000 workers. A total of 62.8% of the cases were females, 25% of whom were under 30 years of age. The average length of employment at the company was 132.3 months. The risk factors most often mentioned are performing repetitive movements and activities requiring manual strength.

How Much Work-Related Injury and Illness is Missed By the Current National Surveillance System?

We sought to estimate the undercount in the existing national surveillance system of occupational injuries and illnesses. Adhering to the strict confidentiality rules of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we matched the companies and individuals who reported work-related injuries and illnesses to the Bureau in 1999, 2000, and 2001 in Michigan with companies and individuals reported in four other Michigan data bases, workers' compensation, OSHA Annual Survey, OSHA Integrated Management Information System, and the Occupational Disease Report. We performed capture-recapture analysis to estimate the number of cases missed by the combined systems. We calculated that the current national surveillance system did not include 61% and with capture-recapture analysis up to 68% of the work-related injuries and illnesses that occurred annually in Michigan. This was true for injuries alone, 60% and 67%, and illnesses alone 66% and 69%, respectively. The current national system for work-related injuries and illnesses markedly underestimates the magnitude of these conditions. A more comprehensive system, such as the one developed for traumatic workplace fatalities, that is not solely dependent on employer based data sources is needed to better guide decision-making and evaluation of public health programs to reduce work-related conditions.

Occupational diseases caused by exposure to sensitizing metals

Diseases caused by occupational exposure to sensitizing metals including platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), gold (Au), mercury (Hg), zirconium (Zr) and beryllium (Be) are reviewed. Allergic reactions induced by the metals are described according to the classification by Coombs and Gell. Metals with unproven sensitizing potential are not discussed if reports on these are either very rare or devoid of convincing evidence for allergic involvement. The sensitizing metals are haptens which are not themselves able to act as antigens. There is evidence that combination of the metals with circulating or tissue protein gives rise to new antigens. An alternative hypothesis is that these metals interfere with the antigen recognition step of the immune response. Immunomodulatory effects or immunotoxicity of the metals may be also involved in metal-induced hypersensitivity. Occupational exposure to Pt, Rh, Ni, Cr, and Co causes allergic asthma via type I allergic reaction in which serum from affected individuals shows specific IgE antibodies against mental-human serum albumin conjugates. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with gold salt therapy develop glomerulonephritis, thrombocytopenia, or agranulocytosis, which arise from type II and/or type III allergic reactions. Occupational exposure to mercury causes glomerulonephritis in which involvement of type III reaction is suggested. Type IV hypersensitivity reaction of the skin also takes place following exposure to the metals: allergic contact dermatitis is evoked by exposure to Ni, Cr, Co, Rh, and Hg; cutaneous granuloma is formed by contact with Zr and Be. Be is also a sensitizer of the lungs, resulting in granulomatous disease. Diagnosis of metal-induced allergic diseases is made on the basis of allergological tests with metal antigens including skin tests, radioallergosorbent test for specific antibody, lymphocyte transformation test, macrophage migration inhibition test, and provocation test. Atopy is a predisposing factor and smoking is a risk factor for developing metal-induced asthma. Evidence for genetic factors in the development of metal contact dermatitis is conflicting, although animal models implicate genetic factors in skin sensitization with some metals and respiratory sensitization with Be. Skin irritation, forearm injury, complication with atopic dermatitis and concomitant sensitization to other agents are determinants for prognosis of the dermatitis. Epidemiological reports of occupational diseases from allergic reactions to metals in industries are reviewed with respect to prevalence and allergic manifestations. There is a report on a clinical trial of hyposensitization with Pt in a platinum asthma patient. Predictive methods for evaluating sensitization potential of metals have been developed and new methods, which quantify potential more objectively, are sought.

Reports of Occupational Diseases and Accidents

Reports of Occupational Diseases and Accidents