Background Construction workers have health hazards inherent to the nature of work and at further risk for poverty due to poor living conditions. We investigated perceived illness among workers and family members in the past year and the economic consequences of morbidities in terms of Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE). Methods In this cross-sectional multicenter study, we recruited construction workers of both sexes from construction sites of two Indian cities. We collected details on illnesses requiring a healthcare visit in the past year, expenditure and related details. Results Of 1263 participants recruited, data on illness during the past year were reported by 1110 participants; 37% (n = 302) reported illness among themselves or family members requiring a healthcare visit. We constructed a regression model to ascertain demographic and living condition determinants of illness (R^2 = 54%, p < 0.001). We observed kitchen in the living space (OR = 1.87), and using unhygienic smoky cooking fuels (OR = 1.87) were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting illness. More than a quarter of those who reported illness incurred CHE. Both CHE incurred and non-incurred groups displayed similar trends of health-seeking behaviors. Conclusion We conclude that both prevalence of self reported illness and CHE were relatively high, especially among the migratory group. Our results demonstrate that poor living conditions add to the burden of morbidity in construction workers and families. Providing medical coverage for this population vulnerable to economic hardships, engaging and educating about affordable healthcare are important future steps to prevent further economic consequences.

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sites showed increasing risks by employment duration. Results for mesothelioma and bladder cancer exhibited low heterogeneity and were largely robust across sensitivity analyses evaluating bias. Conclusions There is epidemiological evidence to support a causal role for occupational exposure as a firefighter and certain cancers, especially mesothelioma and bladder cancer. Challenges persist in the body of evidence related to the consistency and quality of exposure assessment and control of confounding and medical surveillance bias.

total of 27 systematic reviews were included comprising 1242 studies and 486 potential occupational sensitizing exposures. Three systematic reviews were rated as having high quality, 7 moderate quality, and 17 low quality. We found strong evidence for the main group of wood dusts and moderate evidence for the main groups of mites and fish. For subgroups/specific exposures, strong evidence was found for toluene diisocyanates, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and work tasks involving exposure to laboratory animals, whereas moderate evidence was found for another 52 subgroups/specific exposures. Conclusion In systematic reviews we identified hundreds of potential occupational sensitizing exposures suspected to cause asthma. Strong evidence was found for wood dust in general and for toluene diisocyanates, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and work tasks involving exposure to laboratory animals. However, several well establishes sensitizers (e.g. enzymes, house dust mites, allergens from pets) have not or rarely been included in systematic reviews of occupational exposures, which is a limitation of the overview approach.