NIOSH study explores on-the-job inhalation injuries

Washington — Worker education and training can help prevent injuries resulting from inhalation of hazardous chemicals and other irritants, NIOSH researchers say.

To gain better insight into work-related inhalation injuries, the researchers analyzed OSHA records from April 2011 through March 2022. They identified more than 2,500 inhalation injuries that resulted in 337 deaths, 880 hospitalizations and more than 1,300 outpatient hospital visits.

The leading cause of injury was exposure to inorganic gases (53%) such as carbon monoxide, followed by exposure to “acids, bases and oxidizing chemical agents” (nearly 13%), including anhydrous ammonia.

Other findings:

• Manufacturing (28.6%) had the most reported injuries, followed by construction (17.2%).
• Sixteen of 20 industries reported injuries caused by exposure to cleaning materials. Most of those injuries occurred in manufacturing or accommodation and food services.

“These results can help employers protect workers by taking steps to prevent inhalation injuries where they are most likely to occur,” NIOSH says. “An important part of prevention is training workers about these injuries and how to prevent them.”

The study was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.