OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of occupational diseases in Guangzhou City, China in 2001 - 2010, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational diseases.

METHODSStatistical analysis was performed on the reported data on the occupational diseases in Guangzhou from 2001 to 2010.

RESULTSA total of 380 cases of occupational diseases (37 types,8 classes) were diagnosed and reported in 2001 - 2010. The three most frequent diseases were occupational poisonings (48.9%), pneumoconiosis (20.0%), and occupational ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases (18.7%). In the cases of occupational poisonings, 25.3% suffered from acute occupational poisonings, especially the poisoning by dichloroethane (19.1%), and 74.7% suffered from chronic occupational poisonings, mainly caused by lead (38.8%), benzene (37.4%), and n-hexane (18.0%). The cases of silicosis accounted for 77.6% of all cases of pneumoconiosis. The cases of noise-induced deafness accounted for 97.2% of all cases of occupational ENT diseases. Patients with occupational diseases were reported in 13 districts of Guangzhou, mostly in Panyu (18.9%), Tianhe (13.2%), Baiyun (12.9%), and Liwan (11.1%). All the cases occurred in 19 industries, mainly including light industry (27.1%) and machinery industry (23.7%). Of all cases, 29.5% were in the public sector, 40.3% in the private sector, and 30.3% in the foreign-funded enterprises and those funded by businessmen from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The ratio of male to female cases was 15:4. The mean age of onset was 42.2 ± 10.9 years. The average speed of development of occupational diseases was 134.0%, and the average growth rate was 34.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of occupational diseases tends to increase year by year, with younger age of onset and shorter history of exposure in patients. The occupational poisonings caused by lead, benzene, n-hexane, and dichloroethane, silicosis, and noise-induced deafness seem to be the main occupational hazards in Guangzhou, China. Occupational diseases occur in all districts of Guangzhou and in various industries. The private sector and small enterprises should be the focuses of occupational health supervision.