The Most Common Occupational Injuries Suffered by American Workers

Dr. Michael Klein worked as a staff physician at Texas Health Center for close to two decades. At the Victoria, Texas-based facility, Michael Klein, MD, treated patients who had suffered occupational illnesses.

Occupational illnesses are conditions caused by or exacerbated by workplace events or exposures. In June 2016, researchers from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released a report outlining the most common occupational lung, skin, and musculoskeletal illnesses suffered by Americans. 

According to the report, the most common occupational lung disorder affecting people in industrialized countries is occupational asthma. It makes up 15 percent of new adult asthma cases and is caused either by sensitizers like animals, plants, bioaerosols, drugs, and latex or irritants like smoke, chlorine, and construction-work dust. Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another common lung disorder. COPD is the fourth largest cause of death in the world with 15 percent of new cases attributable to occupational exposures. Implicated causative agents include vapors, fumes, gases, and dust. 

The most prevalent occupational skin disorder is occupational contact dermatitis. Every year, over 13 million American workers are exposed to chemicals that have the potential to get absorbed through the skin. Some of these exposures lead to contact dermatitis. 

Common occupational musculoskeletal disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome caused by compression of the median nerve and epicondylitis brought about by the overuse of tendons. Both are repetitive motion injuries.