MERLOD/2009/5 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION Technical backgrounder on the problematic diseases in the proposed list to replace the list annexed to the List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No. 194) Meeting of Experts on the Revision of the List of Occupational Diseases (Recommendation No. 194) (Geneva, 27–30 October 2009) INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE GENEVA MERLOD/2009/5 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION Technical backgrounder on the problematic diseases in the proposed list to replace the list annexed to the List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No. 194) Meeting of Experts on the Revision of the List of Occupational Diseases (Recommendation No. 194) (Geneva, 27–30 October 2009) INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE GENEVA Copyright © International Labour Organization 2009 First published 2009 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. 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Diseases caused by radio frequency radiation .............................................................. 1 General information on the agent ............................................................................................ 1 Interaction mechanisms ................................................................................................ 1 Dosimetry ..................................................................................................................... 2 Specifically including diseases caused by radio frequencies in the ILO list of occupational diseases? .................................................................................................. 2 A brief review of the scientific background ................................................................. 2 Countries and areas including radio frequency-related diseases in the national lists of occupational diseases .................................................................................................. 3 2. 1.3.7. Malaria ......................................................................................................................... 4 General information on the agent ............................................................................................ 4 Exposure at work .................................................................................................................... 4 Specifically including malaria in the ILO List of occupational diseases? .............................. 5 A brief review of the scientific background ................................................................. 5 Diagnostic criteria and process including key aspects of the evaluation ...................... 6 Countries specifically including malaria in the national lists of occupational diseases .......... 7 3. 2.1.8. Extrinsic allergic alveolitis caused by the inhalation of organic dusts arising from work activities (to include mists from contaminated oils).................................. 8 General information on the agent ............................................................................................ 8 Exposure at work .................................................................................................................... 8 Specifically including extrinsic allergic alveolitis due to contaminated oils in the ILO List of occupational diseases? ......................................................................................... 9 A brief review of the scientific background ................................................................. 9 Diagnostic process and criteria ..................................................................................... 10 Countries and areas specifically including extrinsic allergic alveolitis in their lists of occupational diseases .................................................................................................. 11 4. 2.3.7. Carpal tunnel syndrome due to extended periods of repetitive forceful work, work involving vibration, extreme postures of the wrist, or a combination of the three. ....... 12 General information on the disorder ....................................................................................... 12 Exposure at work .................................................................................................................... 12 Specifically including CTS due to extended periods of repetitive forceful work, work involving vibration, extreme postures of the wrist or a combination of the three, in the ILO List of occupational diseases? ............................................................................... 12 A brief review of the scientific background ................................................................. 12 Diagnostic process and criteria ..................................................................................... 13 Countries and areas specifically including carpal tunnel syndrome in their lists of occupational diseases .......................................................................................................... 14 MERLOD-2009-08-0005-1-En.doc/v5 iii 5. 2.4. Mental and behavioural disorders (to be replaced with “psychological disorders”) ....... 15 General information on the disorders ...................................................................................... 15 Exposure at work..................................................................................................................... 16 Diagnostic process and criteria ............................................................................................... 17 Changing the title “mental and behavioural disorders” to “psychological disorders”? .......... 19 A brief review of the scientific background .................................................................. 19 “Mental and behavioural disorders” vs “psychological disorders”............................... 20 Countries including mental and behavioural disorders in the national lists of occupational diseases .......................................................................................................... 21 6. 3.1.20. Formaldehyde (HCHO) .............................................................................................. 22 General information on the agent ............................................................................................ 22 HCHO IARC classification (2006) ......................................................................................... 22 Exposure at work..................................................................................................................... 22 Specifically including cancer caused by HCHO in the ILO List of occupational diseases? ............................................................................................................ 24 A brief review of the scientific background .................................................................. 24 HCHO and leukaemia: Biological plausibility ............................................................ 26 Countries specifically including cancer caused by HCHO in the national lists of occupational diseases .......................................................................................................... 26 7. 3.1.21. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and C Virus (HCV) ........................................................... 27 General information on the agents .......................................................................................... 27 HBV – IARC Classification