Acute Occupational Disinfectant-Related Poisoning in Texas Workers, 2006–2015

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ha M
• Description:
  Introduction: Disinfectants are antimicrobial pesticides widely used to destroy harmful pathogens, which, if misused, can affect exposed workers' health. Previous research on acute occupational pesticide-related poisonings (AOPP) in Texas demonstrated that 51% of these cases are caused by disinfectants. This study evaluated the Texas Department of State Health Services Pesticide Exposure Surveillance in Texas (PEST) program data to examine acute occupational disinfectant-related poisonings (AODP) among workers in Texas during 2006-2015. Methods: We extracted PEST program surveillance data for cases of AODP in workers aged 16 years and older during 2006-2015. We then examined the distribution of AODP by worker demographics, industry, occupation, exposure route and site, health effects, treatment site, personal protective equipment used, and contributing factors. Next, we calculated incidence rates for AODP using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey full-time equivalent (FTE) worker estimates as a denominator. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to estimate incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: There were 1,008 cases of AODP during 2006-2015, with a rate of 0.9 cases per 100,000 FTE workers in Texas. The 10-year AODP rates were highest in female workers (456; 0.9/100,000 FTE workers), workers aged 16-17 years (43; 6.7/100,000 FTE workers), and workers in service occupations (254; 12.3/100,000 FTE workers). The most frequently-reported exposure site was non-manufacturing commercial facilities (242, 24%). The most common contributing factor was spill/splash of liquid or dust (135, 13%). Frequently reported health effects included cough (334, 33%), dyspnea (279, 28%), and upper respiratory pain (253, 25%). Conclusion: AODP are a public health concern. Further analyses of surveillance data will help identify high-risk worker populations for AODP and tailor prevention strategies. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Disinfectants Epidemiology Hazardous Substances Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Antimicrobials Author Keywords: Occupational Health And Safety Chemical Hazards Occupational Exposure Poison Control Services Surveillance Young Workers
• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Pennsylvania ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066142
• Citation:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: For science. For action. For health. APHA 147th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2019 Nov; :444615
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  Texas State Department of Health Services, Austin
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20160701
• Source Full Name:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: For science. For action. For health. APHA 147th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:255f9ec859fa188bf1fbf1631afd53094898852547a1a1a5e9c40d008f2ab44cfc492d77a736e418bcc3443cbe579ea1b66228be2d498d4460f1f992daac7c14
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212650/cdc_212650_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 79.34 KB ]