Review of work-related exposures reported to a poison center helpline, Colorado, 2000-2010

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Colorado. Department of Public Health and Environment
• Description:
  Background: In 2010, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 52,730 cases of workplace poisoning exposures nationwide, comprising 4.4% of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses. As a similar estimate for Colorado is not readily available, this study examined the magnitude and distribution of poisoning exposures among Colorado's employed population reported to the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center (RMPDC) at Denver Health and Hospitals. The objective was to better understand characteristics and risk factors associated with workplace exposures to inform public health surveillance efforts. Methods: RMPDC Colorado data obtained from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) were analyzed to assess annual numbers, rates, and geo-spatial distribution of occupational exposures. NPDS contains self-reported case data on exposure calls to RMPDC, and includes demographic, exposure, substance, and medical outcome descriptions. The case definition used in this study was derived from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines for occupational health indicator surveillance of acute work-related pesticide poisoning. Both single and multiple substance exposures were included in the analyses. Results: From 2000 through 2010, 8,367 occupational poisoning exposures were reported to RMPDC by Colorado residents, resulting in an average annual rate of 31.5 incidents per 100,000 workers. After 2001, rates steadily declined from a high of 43.8 reported exposures per 100,000 employed to a 2010 low of 21.8 exposures per 100,000. Although nearly a quarter of all poisoning exposures occurred among workers age 25-34 years, the youngest age group (16-19 years) experienced the highest mean rate of 54 per 100,000 (p<.0001). Most cases during the study period were male (59.3%) compared to female (38.3%) (p<.0001). Exposures to chemicals, gases, household cleaning substances, hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides were most prevalent. Top exposure routes included inhalation (42.1%), ocular (19.3%) or dermal exposure (17.9%), and ingestion (9.0%), leading to the most common clinical effects of ocular or dermal injury, headache, nausea, and throat irritation. Seventy-six percent of reported medical outcomes were minor or not followed due to minimal clinical effects. Exposure to chemicals, gases, fumes, or vapors, and pesticides or fertilizers were more commonly reported from urban areas, but had higher reporting rates in rural areas. Conclusions: RMPDC data indicate a significant burden of occupational injury that may not require medical treatment or hospitalization, and thus may not be captured in current occupational surveillance systems that rely on medical, workplace injury, or workers' compensation reports. In these data, males experienced higher overall exposure rates, as well as more severe medical outcomes. Exposure rates were inversely related to age group; however, the reverse trend is observed in some other occupational injury datasets. A better understanding of the industries and occupations associated with exposures would provide insight to developing targeted interventions based on gender and age, as well as aid in root cause investigations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Biopharmaceutics Chemistry Demography Environmental Exposure Epidemiology Hazardous Substances Hydrocarbons Insecticides Men Occupational Health Poisoning Public Health Respiratory System Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Skin Women Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Age Groups Chemical Composition Chemical Hazards Chemical Properties Cleaning Compounds Demographic Characteristics Dermal Exposures Exposure Levels Gases Humans Inhalation Injuries Pesticides Pesticides And Agricultural Chemicals Pharmaceuticals Poisons Public Health Risk Factors Statistical Analysis Surveillance Programs Work Environment Workers

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• Publisher:
  Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-46
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047882
• Citation:
  Denver, CO: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2012 Nov; :1-46
• Contact Point Address:
  Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado 80246
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20100701
• Source Full Name:
  Review of work-related exposures reported to a poison center helpline, Colorado, 2000-2010
• End Date:
  20150630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5258f0efed3662ac36dbb134d279ac474821b4d76ee8a6ad5a6382046b380120fb957125e78c067ed6732462c68348412573edaa2146d337eb1388f1299bffec
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202831/cdc_202831_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.06 MB ]