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
