Title: Occupational poisoning in the US<br/>Author: Hong Kim<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/526/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
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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.</p>
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From a recent retrospective study of National Poison Data System, the top 10 occupational toxicants were:</p>
<ol>
<li>
Caustics (acids & alkalis)</li>
<li>
Chlorines/hypochlorites</li>
<li>
Carbon monoxide</li>
<li>
Hydrocarbons</li>
<li>
Cleansers/detergents</li>
<li>
Ammonia</li>
<li>
Cement</li>
<li>
Hydrofluoric acid</li>
<li>
Disinfectants</li>
<li>
Hydrogen sulfide</li>
</ol>
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Top 10 occupational toxicants associated with fatalities were:</p>
<ol>
<li>
Hydrogen sulfide</li>
<li>
Ammonia</li>
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Carbon Monoxide</li>
<li>
Simple asphyxiants</li>
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Chlorine/hypochlorites</li>
<li>
Alkalis</li>
<li>
Pyrethrins/pyrethroids</li>
<li>
Toluene/xylene</li>
<li>
Methane</li>
<li>
Methylene chloride </li>
</ol>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Downs JW et al. Descriptive epidemiology of clincally signifcant occupational poisonings, United States, 2008-2018. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2021. PMID: 33703981</p>
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