Increase in exposure to occupational diseases

The study ‘Occupational morbidity in Romania in 2007’, conducted by the Bucharest Institute of Public Health, reveals that the number of workers exposed to occupational diseases doubled from 915,000 to 1,831,000 workers in the period 1997–2007, while new cases of work-related diseases decreased from 2,060 to 1,353 workers. The data also reveal differences between the distribution of the number of occupational doctors and new cases of occupational diseases at county level.

About the study

A new study on ‘Occupational morbidity in Romania in 2007’, carried out by researchers at the Labour Medicine Division of the Bucharest Institute of Public Health (Institutul de Sănătate Publică Bucureşti, ISPB), was published in 2008 by the National Register of Occupational Diseases.

The study addresses the issue of occupational morbidity in Romania and explores the various degrees of exposure to risk generated by working conditions, tracing their evolution throughout the 11-year period from 1997 to 2007. It also reveals the changes occurring as an effect of economic restructuring – with the growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – and of new technologies.

Moreover, the study approaches the topic of occupational morbidity from the perspective of the new concept of occupational health and safety and the supervisory techniques designed to support it. It takes this approach in compliance with the prophylactic health requirements applicable to newly hired workers, and to personnel resuming work after a period of interruption. This approach has also been taken in the context of the regular updating requirements set forth by government decision in 2007 to this effect.

Exposure to occupational diseases

In the period 1997–2007, the total number of workers in Romania exposed to occupational diseases doubled from 915,000 to 1,831,000 workers, while the number of new cases of occupational diseases diminished from 2,060 to 1,353 cases (Table 1).

Table 1: Number of exposed workers and new cases of occupational diseases, 1997–2007

Year	Workers exposed to occupational diseases	New cases of occupational diseases
1997	915,000	2,060
2000	1,259,000	1,576
2002	1,886,000	2,508
2005	1,816,000	1,002
2007	1,831,000	1,353

Source: Todea, A. and Ferencz, A., Occupational morbidity in Romania in 2007, ISPB, 2008

New cases of occupational diseases

In 2007, the top three sectors of economic activity showing the highest number of new cases of occupational diseases included metallurgy (15% of all new cases), machine building (12.5%) and road transport manufacturing (9.6%).

The 10 occupations with the most new cases of occupational diseases (see figure) accounted for over 40% of all new cases of such diseases recorded in 2007.

Top 10 occupations with highest number of new cases of occupational diseases, 2007

Top 10 occupations with highest number of new cases of occupational diseases, 2007

Source: Todea and Ferencz, 2008

Regional differences

In 2007, the average number of workers in Romania exposed to occupational diseases per occupational doctor was 6,144 workers (Table 2). However, regional differences emerged in this regard. For example, in Botoşani County in northeastern Romania, some 41,642 workers were exposed to occupational diseases per occupational doctor compared with only 276 workers in Tulcea County in southeastern Romania and an average of 6,144 workers at national level.

Table 2: Average number of workers exposed to occupational diseases per occupational doctor (2007)

County	Number of exposed workers	Number of new cases of occupational diseases	Number of occupational doctors	Average number of exposed workers per occupational doctor
All Romania	1,831,000	1,353	298	6,144
Above national average
Ialomiţa	23,147	2	0	–
Botoşani	41,642	12	1	41,642
Hunedoara	86,211	23	3	28,737
Neamţ	47,890	10	2	23,945
Galaţi	64,573	23	4	16,143
Below national average
Tulcea	1,378	2	5	276
Ilfov	2,950	3	7	421
Braşov	16,250	144	23	718
Dolj	25,616	218	24	1,067
Maramureş	22,316	147	19	1,175

Source: Todea and Ferencz, 2008

Overall, the highest density of occupational diseases per occupational doctor occurred in Botoşani County. Ialomiţa County has no occupational doctor on record.

A higher number of new cases of occupational diseases may also be the result of better detection by occupational doctors.

Commentary

The increase of workers’ professional and occupational mobility, with the frequent change of workplace as a result, would require as many examinations by a doctor.

The migration of workers from one job to another, however, makes it difficult to keep track of their health record. To accomplish such a task, a much greater number of doctors specialised in the field of labour medicine would be needed.

Constantin Ciutacu, Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy