Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2024 Jun;62(6):396-403. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2370303. Epub 2024 Jul 4.
Exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace can result in injuries and fatalities. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and trend of occupational exposures reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Centre and to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the trend.
A retrospective analysis of all acute occupational exposures reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Centre between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2022 was performed. Data on patient and exposure characteristics, symptoms and treatment recommendations were analyzed.
Between 2016 and 2022, the Dutch Poisons Information Centre received 5,508 calls regarding acute occupational exposures. The annual number of calls on acute occupational exposures almost doubled over the years studied (from 475 in 2016 to 936 in 2022). During and after the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-December 2022), the number of calls stabilized, but the upward trend was not significantly affected. There were an estimated 0.20 calls per 1,000 human exposure calls per month (95 per cent confidence interval: -0.14; 0.53). Victims were often exposed through multiple routes, with inhalation being the most common route (44 per cent), followed by ocular (32 per cent) and dermal contact (30 per cent). Acids (1,138 exposures) and alkalis (912 exposures) were often involved. The Dutch Poisons Information Centre had information on 6,334 patients, although the total number of exposed patients was not known as some victims did not seek medical assistance, or were treated by healthcare professionals who did not consult our Centre. At the time of contact, 13 per cent ( = 795) of the patients reported no symptoms, 76 per cent ( = 4,805) reported mild to moderate symptoms and 3 per cent ( = 183) reported potentially severe symptoms. Information on symptoms was missing for 9 per cent ( = 551) of the patients. Hospital observation and treatment were recommended for 5 per cent ( = 325) of the patients.
This study highlights the necessity for poisoning prevention strategies to reduce the number of work-related incidents involving hazardous substances.
The continuing increase in the number of workplace incidents involving hazardous substances is of concern. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach should be taken to gain a full understanding of occupational exposure to hazardous substances and to identify risk factors.
工作场所接触危险物质可能导致受伤和死亡。本研究旨在调查荷兰毒物信息中心报告的职业暴露的特征和趋势，并调查 COVID-19 大流行是否对趋势产生影响。
对 2016 年 1 月 1 日至 2022 年 12 月 31 日期间向荷兰毒物信息中心报告的所有急性职业暴露进行回顾性分析。分析了患者和暴露特征、症状和治疗建议的数据。
在 2016 年至 2022 年期间，荷兰毒物信息中心共接到 5508 起急性职业暴露事件的电话。报告的急性职业暴露事件数量在研究期间几乎翻了一番（从 2016 年的 475 起增加到 2022 年的 936 起）。在 COVID-19 大流行期间（2020 年 3 月至 2022 年 12 月）和之后，电话数量趋于稳定，但这一上升趋势并没有受到显著影响。每月每 1000 例人类暴露事件约有 0.20 例（95%置信区间：-0.14；0.53）。受害者通常通过多种途径暴露，吸入是最常见的途径（44%），其次是眼部（32%）和皮肤接触（30%）。酸（1138 次暴露）和碱（912 次暴露）经常涉及。荷兰毒物信息中心有 6334 名患者的信息，但由于一些受害者没有寻求医疗援助，或者由没有咨询我们中心的医疗保健专业人员进行治疗，因此不知道总暴露患者的数量。在联系时，13%（ = 795）的患者报告没有症状，76%（ = 4805）报告有轻度至中度症状，3%（ = 183）报告有潜在严重症状。9%（ = 551）的患者的症状信息缺失。建议 5%（ = 325）的患者进行医院观察和治疗。
本研究强调了需要制定中毒预防策略，以减少涉及危险物质的工作场所事件的数量。
涉及危险物质的工作场所事件数量持续增加令人担忧。应采取全面和多学科的方法，充分了解职业接触危险物质的情况，并确定危险因素。
