Publication:

Occupational respiratory disorders: global exposure patterns, surveillance, preventive strategies, intervention, effectiveness and emerging innovations

Occupational respiratory disorders remain a significant global public health burden due to continuous exposure to airborne hazards across various industries. This narrative review synthesizes global exposure patterns, surveillance systems, preventive strategies, intervention effectiveness, and emerging innovations in occupational respiratory health. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature and reports from international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Mining, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries exhibit the highest exposure risks. Surveillance and preventive measures vary substantially across income regions, with high-income countries adopting advanced monitoring and engineering controls. Emerging technologies, such as wearable sensors and artificial intelligence, are increasingly integrated into occupational health systems. Occupational respiratory diseases are largely preventable through enhanced surveillance, exposure control strategies, worker education, and technological innovations. Strengthening global occupational health systems is essential to reducing the burden of respiratory morbidity and mortality.