ABSTRACT
Occupational illness is any atypical ailment or disorder, except one resulting from an occupational injury prompted by exposure to environmental factors linked with occupation or workplace. It can be acute or chronic illnesses, after an exposure to hazards through inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or direct contact. Research and epidemiological studies have considerably added to this field. Better knowledge of the causative link has allowed the realization of a better medical definition of occupational diseases. Accordingly, the legal explanation of occupational diseases, which was somewhat problematic, is becoming more and more associated to the medical definition and criteria. The List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No. 194) was accepted at the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference, 2002. The Committee on Occupational Accidents and Diseases established in 2002 to work on the List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation expected that, besides examining the Annex to the recommendation, the existing national and other lists of occupational diseases, and the observations received from member states, the meeting must consider all the modifications submitted to the committee. Chapter 6 gives a brief account of occupational diseases by target organ systems, mental and behavioural disorders, occupational cancers, and diseases caused by exposure to workplace agents including biological, chemical, and physical agents.
