Poisoning
Preventing occupational poisonings and pesticide-related illnesses
and injuries requires ongoing activities to determine the underlying
causes of overexposure to chemicals and pesticides in the workplace.
Surveillance promotes prevention by describing the magnitude and distribution
of these adverse health conditions among workers and by serving as an
early warning system of harmful effects not detected by product manufacturers.
Two sources of data advance these surveillance objectives: the BLS annual
survey of employers for occupational poisonings (part of SOII) and case-based
reporting of pesticide-related illnesses and injuries by SENSOR.
Annual Survey of Employers: Reports of Occupational
Poisonings (BLS)
Poisonings (systemic effects of toxic materials) include poisoning
by the following: (1) lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, or other metals;
(2) carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, or other gases; (3) benzol, carbon
tetrachloride, or other organic solvents; (4) insecticide sprays such
as parathion and lead arsenate; and (5) other chemicals such as formaldehyde,
plastics, and resins. During 1972–2001, the number of occupational
poisonings ranged from a high of 7,600 cases in 1993 to a low of 2,800
cases in 2001 (Figure 2–151). Rates varied during 1984–2001
from a high of 1.0 per 10,000 full-time workers in 1993 to a low of
0.3 in 2001 (Figure 2–152). Within reporting States in 2001, the
number of occupational poisoning cases ranged from fewer than 50 to
300 (Figure 2–153). Rates in 2001 varied by State from a low of
less than 0.1 per 10,000 full-time workers in many States to a high
of 1.2 in Maine; the U.S. rate was 0.3 per 10,000 full-time workers
(Figure 2–154).
Magnitude and Trend
How did the number of occupational poisonings change during 1972–2001?
How did the rates of occupational poisonings change during 1984–2001?
Numbers and Rates among States
How did the number of occupational poisonings differ by State in 2001?
How did the rates of occupational poisoning differ by State in 2001?
Case-Based Reporting of Pesticide-Related Illness
and Injury (SENSOR)
Pesticides are substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate
pests. They are used to protect the food supply and to control disease
vectors. No perfectly safe form of pest control exists. Pesticides continue
to raise concerns about their potential toxicity to humans. NIOSH provides
technical and financial support for State-based surveillance of acute,
occupational, pesticide-related illness and injury through the SENSOR
program. The SENSOR-pesticides program is partially funded by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Between 1998 and 1999, a total of 1,009 cases of acute, pesticide-related
occupational illness were identified by the seven States participating
in the SENSOR-pesticides program (Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana,
New York, Oregon, and Texas) [Calvert et al. 2004]. Cases totaled 523
in 1998 and 486 in 1999. The incidence rate was 1.17 per 100,000 full-time
workers overall, 18.2 for agricultural workers, and 0.53 for nonagricultural
workers. As measured by days away from work during this period, the
severity of most pesticide-related illnesses was low for 69.1% of cases,
moderate for 29.6%, and high for 0.4%; three fatalities were identified
[Calvert et al. 2004].
Age
How did the rates of pesticide-related illnesses differ by age of
worker and industry during 1998–1999?
Sex
How were pesticide-related illnesses distributed by sex of worker
during 1998–1999?
Occupation
Which agricultural occupations accounted for the most pesticide-related
illnesses during 1998–1999?
Industry
Which industry sectors accounted for the most pesticide-related illnesses
during 1998–1999?
Agent or Exposure
Which classes of pesticides were responsible for reported cases of
illness during 1998–1999?
Which chemical classes of insecticides were responsible for reported
cases of illness during 1998–1999?
