Occupational disease profile in Taiwan, Republic of China

Lack of knowledge of the exact contents of the materials and improper handling of the toxic chemicals lead to the occurrence of occupational illnesses in the developing countries. However, the incidence of occupational diseases was usually underestimated. This article presents the profile of occupational diseases in Taiwan from two sources, i.e. occupational disease benefit payments of labor insurance and the review of relevant literature. The primarily documented occupational diseases in Taiwan were pneumoconioses. The second most common occupational disease was carbon monoxide intoxication, followed by lead poisoning and noise-induced hearing loss. Less than five percent of occupational diseases were due to the other causes, including decompression syndrome, heat stroke, toxic hepatitis, neurological disorders and hematologic disorders. The number of occupational diseases recognized in Taiwan was considered to be seriously underestimated due to the shortage of occupational medical specialists. Priority in the development of occupational medicine in Taiwan is to educate industrial hygienists and physicians to recognize health hazards in the work environment and to diagnose occupational diseases. Recognition of occupational diseases could subsequently highlight the health hazards in the workplace and prevent workers from overexposure.