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. 2013 Nov;56(11):1280-9.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22226. Epub 2013 Jul 19.

Occupational carbon monoxide fatalities in the US from unintentional non-fire related exposures, 1992-2008

Scott A Henn  1 , Jennifer L Bell, Aaron L Sussell, Srinivas Konda
Affiliations

Occupational carbon monoxide fatalities in the US from unintentional non-fire related exposures, 1992-2008

Scott A Henn et al. Am J Ind Med. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze characteristics of, and trends in, work-related carbon monoxide (CO) fatalities in the US.

Methods: Records of unintentional, non-fire related fatalities from CO exposure were extracted from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Integrated Management Information System for years 1992-2008 and analyzed separately.

Results: The average number of annual CO fatalities was 22 (standard deviation=8). Fatality rates were highest among workers aged≥65, males, Hispanics, winter months, the Midwest, and the Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping industry subsector. Self-employed workers accounted for 28% of all fatalities. Motor vehicles were the most frequent source of fatal CO exposure, followed by heating systems and generators.

Conclusions: CO has been the most frequent cause of occupational fatality due to acute inhalation, and has shown no significant decreasing trend since 1992. The high number of fatalities from motor vehicles warrants further investigation.

Keywords: CFOI; carbon monoxide; fatalities; occupational; surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure Statement: The authors report no conflicts of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Annual occupational CO fatalities reported in BLS’ CFOI (n = 374) and OSHA’s IMIS (n = 111), 1992–2008. Note: Counts generated by the authors with restricted access to BLS CFOI data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Rate of CO fatalities per100,000 FTEs by state reported in BLS’ CFOI (n = 372), 1992–2008. Note: Rates generated by the authors with restricted access to BLS CFOI data. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the BLS.
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References

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