Search
There are different occupational hazards depending on the nature of one’s trade/skill/employment. Although healthcare providers may not always inquire about patient’s occupation, knowledge of a patient’s occupation may provide insightful information when caring for patients with acute poisoning.
From a recent retrospective study of National Poison Data System, the top 10 occupational toxicants were:
- Caustics (acids & alkalis)
- Chlorines/hypochlorites
- Carbon monoxide
- Hydrocarbons
- Cleansers/detergents
- Ammonia
- Cement
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Disinfectants
- Hydrogen sulfide
Top 10 occupational toxicants associated with fatalities were:
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Ammonia
- Carbon Monoxide
- Simple asphyxiants
- Chlorine/hypochlorites
- Alkalis
- Pyrethrins/pyrethroids
- Toluene/xylene
- Methane
- Methylene chloride
References
Downs JW et al. Descriptive epidemiology of clincally signifcant occupational poisonings, United States, 2008-2018. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2021. PMID: 33703981