Occupational Hazards

Work Overload

By Mary Kearl

It may surprise you how many different ways you put your health on the line, just by going to work. If you have a desk job, you may be exposing yourself to germs, allergens and toxins. And if yours is in the laboratory, fighting crime, on the road or working with your hands, you may be putting yourself at risk for being the victim of a violent crime or even developing occupational cancer. Plus, no matter what your job, how often you work and who you work with can have major repercussions on your health.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Many buildings operate as self-contained environments, so the first place of safety interest in terms of toxin exposure is ventilation, says Rodney R. Dietert, professor of Immunotoxicology at Cornell University. Air systems have the potential to circulate toxins and allergens -- including molds, dust, pollen, tobacco smoke and exhaust -- into the office space, according to Dr. Dietert. If the air is cycled at an insufficient rate, any toxins or bacteria and viruses produced inside the building are more likely to concentrate, increasing exposure of the employees. This produces a situation similar to traveling across the country in an airplane -- an environment notorious for producing colds and the flu, he explains. Dr. Dietert says this is a common occurrence, also known as "sick building syndrome." Continue to learn more about this syndrome.


Sick Building Syndrome

The term "sick building syndrome" is when office occupants experience acute health and comfort effects, including sore eyes and throats, headaches, tiredness, asthma, coughing and dizziness, that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified, according to the EPA. Some have attributed it to ozone, given off by office equipment such as computers and printers. Working in a building with poor circulation can be analogous to working in a day care center with a high density of children -- infections may be passed around and those with a weakened immune system will never miss getting them, explains Dr. Dietert.

Germs in the Workplace

You might think that the bathroom is the most disgusting place at that office, but desks actually contain 400 times as many germs as toilet seats, according to research conducted by the University of Arizona's Charles Gerba, Ph.D. microbiology. In a more recent study, Dr. Gerba compared the germ levels of female and male office spaces and found that women's keyboards were coated in three to four times more germs than male counterparts. When it came to storing money, however, Gerba found that men's wallets were the single-most germ-laden item in any office, with four times as many germs as women's purses.


Workplace Injuries and Deaths

U.S. workers are subject to work-related injuries, disabilities and fatalities on a daily basis. On average, nearly 16 workers die each day from traumatic injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In 2005, nearly 6,000 workers died from an occupational injury and more than 4 million workers had a nonfatal injury or illness. The major causes of death included highway accidents, being struck by an object, and homicides. From 1992 through 2001, roadway crashes were the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the U.S., accounting over 13,000 civilian worker deaths, reports NIOSH. Primary causes of illness included occupational asthma, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and sprains.


In Harm's Way

Those working in some occupations, including police officers, correctional officers and taxi drivers, have an increased risk for being victims of violent crimes. But overall an average of 1.7 million people were victims of violent crime while working or on duty in the United States, each year from 1993 through 1999, reports NIOSH. About 75 percent of these incidents were simple assaults, while about 19 percent were aggravated assaults. The years from 1992 to 20006, saw an average of 800 work-related homicides per year, according to NIOSH.


Blame Office Ergonomics for Aches, Pains and Blood Clots

The architecture of your work life could be to blame for your back problems, and if you sit long enough, it may give you a blood clot. An estimated 1.8 million workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders like tendinitis, wrist pain and lower back problems, according to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA). Plus, prolonged seated immobility on the job may present a risk fact for deep vein thrombosis -- blood clots.

Eye Injuries

Each day about 2000 U.S. workers experience job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment, according to NIOSH. While many of these injuries are attributed to objects such as metal slivers, wood chips and dust striking the eye, some can be attributed to laboratory workers, janitorial workers and animal handlers whose work may expose them to infectious diseases via ocular exposure, according to NIOSH. Dr. Dietert says that lighting is also important for eye health. "This can affect vision over time, via prolonged and persistent poor lighting." Fluorescent lighting is also of concern, as it may produce some headaches, migraines, dizziness and nausea, Dietert says.


Occupational Cancer

It is estimated that approximately 20,000 cancer deaths and 40,000 new cases of cancer each year in the U.S. are attributable to occupation, reports NIOSH. While millions of U.S. workers are exposed to substances that have tested as carcinogens in animal studies, less than two percent of chemicals in commerce have been tested for carcinogenicity, according to NIOSH. Learn more about exposure to cancer-causing toxins at work.

A Mean Boss Does This to Your Health

Sadly, abusive bosses are all too common, and in the short term, this environment can be very stressful for employees, provoking emotions ranging from fear to anger to sadness, says Alan Keck, Psy. D. And, long-term results can include depression, burnout, reduced productivity and lethargy, according to Dr. Keck. Being in this kind of environment over months to years, can take a cumulative toll on a person's health, potentially leading to weight gain, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, weakened immunity, sleep disturbances and increased sick day use, says Dr. Keck.