Occupational diseases: The silent killers

MANILA, Philippines – Occupational diseases kill 6 times as many people each year compared to industrial accidents but go largely unreported, according to a report by the International Labour Organizaton (ILO).

According to the report published on Wednesday, April 24, an estimated 2.34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases.

However, despite the publicity that work-related accidents receive, the vast majority or 2.02 million of the total figure actually die from work-related diseases. And, from the estimated 6,300 work-related deaths that occur every day, 5,500 are the results of diseases resulting from work environments.

Occupational disease covers a wide range of illnesses, which are contracted as a result of exposure to risk factors that come from work. The can include mental and musculoskeletal disorders (MDs) or pneumoconiosis (a lung disease resulting from the constant breathing of dust or harmful particles).

Not only are they a health hazard, but occupational diseases also impose enormous costs.

The ILO estimates that work- related accidents and diseases result in an annual 4% loss in global gross domestic product (GDP), or about US$2.8 trillion in direct and indirect costs of injuries and diseases. 

The United States, insurance companies reportedly paid $21.6 billion for asbestos-exposure cases between 1990 and 2000, in addition to the $32 billion paid out by prosecuted enterprises. In the Republic of Korea, the total economic cost of MSDs was $6.89 billion, representing 0.7% of the country’s GDP in 2011.

It is the rural workers, workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and in the informal economy, the vast majority of the global workforce, which are likely to face the highest levels of risk. They tend to be outside of the systems that prevent, report and compensate occupational diseases. For the worker and family that are affected they can plunge them into further debt from health bills and lack of work capacity.

The types of diseases vary depending on the country and place.

China
In 2010, China reported a total of 27,240 cases of occupational diseases including 23,812 cases caused by exposure to work place dusts.

Argentina
In 2010, 22,013 cases of occupational diseases were reported in Argentina, with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and respiratory diseases among the most frequent conditions.

Japan
In 2011, Japan reported a total of 7,779 cases of occupational diseases mainly related to low-back disorders and pneumoconioses and compensated 325 cases of mental disorders.

United Kingdom
In 2011, 5,920 cases of occupational diseases were compensated with pneumoconiosis, diffuse mesothelioma and osteoarthritis as the three most common diseases.

US
In 2011, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 207,500 workers experienced non-fatal occupational diseases in 2011; skin diseases, hearing loss and respiratory conditions were the three most prevalent health impairments. – Rappler.com