Common Health Conditions Associated with Occupational Exposure

Common Health Conditions Associated with Occupational Exposure
Condition	Selected exposures	Selected occupations
Musculoskeletal
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Repetition Vibration Awkward postures Cold temperature	Letter sorting Assembly work Computer work Food processing
De Quervain's tendinitis	Repetition High force	Meatpacking Manufacturing
Cervical strain	Static posture	Computer work
Thoracic outlet syndrome	Static posture, repetition	Assembly work
Respiratory
Interstitial fibrosis	Asbestos Silica Coal	Mining, construction trades, building maintenance Mining, foundry work, sandblasting Mining
Asthma	Animal products Plant products Wood dust Isocyanates Metals (e.g., cobalt) Cutting oils Irritants (e.g., sulfur dioxide)	Laboratory work Baking Furniture making Plastics manufacturing Hard metals manufacturing Machine operation Various occupations
Bronchitis	Acids Smoke Nitrogen oxides	Plating Fire fighting Welding
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis	Moldy hay Cutting oils	Farming Machine operation
Upper airway irritation	Indoor air pollution (i.e., sick building syndrome)	Office work Teaching
Neurologic
Chronic encephalopathy	Organic solvents Organophosphate pesticides Lead	Painting, automobile body repair Pesticide application Bridge work, painting, radiator repair, metal recycling
Peripheral polyneuropathy	Organophosphate pesticides Methyl butyl ketone	Pesticide application Fabric coating
Hearing loss	Noise	Many occupations
Infectious
Bloodborne infections	HIV, hepatitis B	Health care work, prison work
Airborne infections	Tuberculosis	Health care work, prison work
Infections transmitted fecally or orally	Hepatitis A	Health care work, animal care
Zoonoses	Lyme disease	Forestry and other outdoor work
Cancer
Lung	Asbestos Chromium Coal tar, pitch	Construction trades Welding, plating Steelworking
Liver	Vinyl chloride	Plastics manufacturing
Bladder	Benzidine	Plastics and chemical manufacturing
Skin
Contact dermatitis	Organic solvents Nickel Latex	Many occupations Hairdressing Health care work
Reproductive
Spontaneous abortion	Ethylene oxide	Sterilizing
Sperm abnormalities	Dibromochloropropane	Pesticide manufacturing
Birth defects	Ionizing radiation	Radiographic technicians
Developmental abnormalities	Lead	Bridge work, metal recycling
Cardiovascular
Coronary artery disease	Carbon monoxide Stress	Working with combustion products Machine-paced work
Gastrointestinal
Hepatitis	Polychlorinated biphenyls	Electrical equipment manufacturing and repair

Screening Questions
Key screening questions include the following^8,19:

1.      What type of work do you do?

2.      Do you think your health problems might be related to your work?

3.      Are your symptoms different at work and at home?

4.      Are you currently exposed to chemicals, dusts, metals, radiation, noise or repetitive work? Have you been exposed to chemicals, dusts, metals, radiation, noise or repetitive work in the past?

5.      Are any of your co-workers experiencing similar symptoms?