The prevalence of selected potentially hazardous workplace exposures in the US: Findings from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey

Abstract

Objective-Assess the national prevalence of current workplace exposure to potential skin hazards, secondhand smoke (SHS), and outdoor work among various industry and occupation groups. Also, assess the national prevalence of chronic workplace exposure to vapors, gas, dust, and fumes (VGDF) among these groups.Methods-Data were obtained from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). NHIS is a multistage probability sample survey of the civilian non-institutionalized population of the US. Prevalence rates and their variances were calculated using SUDAAN to account for the complex NHIS sample design.Results-The data for 2010 were available for 17,524 adults who worked in the 12 months that preceded interview. The highest prevalence rates of hazardous workplace exposures were typically in agriculture, mining, and construction. The prevalence rate of frequent handling of or skin contact with chemicals, and of non-smokers frequently exposed to SHS at work was highest in mining and construction. Outdoor work was most common in agriculture (85%), construction (73%), and mining (65%). Finally, frequent occupational exposure to VGDF was most common among mining (67%), agriculture (53%), and construction workers (51%).Conclusion-We identified industries and occupations with the highest prevalence of potentially hazardous workplace exposures, and provided targets for investigation and intervention activities.

Employed adults with asthma who have frequent workplace exposures

“…We found that an estimated 19.6% of adults employed in the past year with current asthma frequently worked outdoors which is lower than the estimate by Calvert et al [12] in all adults employed in the past year (24.7%). This may suggest the healthy worker effect where persons with asthma are less likely to be hired into or remain in jobs with significant exposures [12,17]. In addition, individuals with childhood asthma may avoid occupations that may be associated with increased risk of asthma symptom exacerbation [18–23].…”

“…Because of the ongoing changes to workplace production processes, job tasks, work schedules and changes to the workforce, more current data on workplace exposures were needed. In 2013, using 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Occupational Health Supplement data, Calvert et al [12] reported that an estimated 24.7% of adults employed in the past year frequently worked outdoors; 25.0% were frequently exposed to vapors, gas, dust or fumes; and 10.0% of non-smokers were frequently exposed to secondhand smoke at work; and that these potentially hazardous workplace exposures varied by industry and occupation.…”

Current intelligence bulletin 67: promoting health and preventing disease and injury through workplace tobacco policies.

“…Consistently, these studies have shown substantially higher cigarette smoking prevalence among blue-collar workers compared with white-collar workers, particularly among males [Sterling and Weinkam 1976;DHHS 1985;Stellman et al 1988;Brackbill et al 1988;Covey et al 1992;Nelson et al 1994;Bang and Kim 2001;Barbeau et al 2004;Lee et al 2004Lee et al , 2007CDC 2011a;Calvert et al 2013]. In addition, these studies provide evidence of higher intensity of smoking among blue-collar workers who smoke than white-collar workers who smoke [Fujishiro et al 2012].…”

“…An analysis of recent NHIS data that used a more restrictive definition of SHS exposure-exposure to SHS at work on 2 or more days per week during the past year-estimated that 10.0% of nonsmoking U.S. workers reported frequent exposure to SHS at work [Calvert et al 2013]. Prevalence of such frequent exposure by major industry sector ranged from 4.1% for finance and insurance to 28.4% for mining, while prevalence by major occupation ranged from 2.3% for education, training, and library occupations to 28.5% for "construction and extraction" occupations (See Appendix Figures A-4a and A-4b).…”

Heat effects among migrant and seasonal farmworkers: a case study in Colorado

“…Farmworkers in the USA are vulnerable to heat partly because 85% of agricultural workers in the USA work outside according to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey 3. Also, farmworkers are usually engaged in heavy work, which makes it more difficult for the body to support heat loss.…”