Occupational diseases in Italian national priority contaminated sites.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occupational health risks in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs).

METHODS: Established cases of occupational diseases in 2010-2014 were extracted from the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) archives. Standardized incidence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated by site and by disease group separately for genders.

RESULTS: In the 44 NPCSs evaluated, 11 015 cases of occupational diseases (8877 in men and 2138 in women) were ascertained. Overall, an excess of occupational diseases with respect to expected cases of 24.2% was found in men residing in NPCSs. An increased occurrence was detected in 21 NPCSs for men and in eight for women.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a role of occupational diseases in the health profile of NPCSs, reinforcing the need for a permanent surveillance system.