Occupational Health Practice Questions

Q: Pneumoconiosis seen in Textile industry workers is:

Byssinosis. **Explanation:** **Byssinosis** is the correct answer as it is a specific type of occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of **cotton, flax, hemp, or jute dust**, commonly seen in textile industry workers. It is clinically characterized by "Monday Morning Fever" or "Monday Chest Tightness," where symptoms are most severe on the first day of the work week after a break and improve as the week progresses. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Silicosis (Option A):** Caused by inhalation of free silica (silicon dioxide). It is associated with industries like mining, stone cutting, sandblasting, and glass manufacturing. It is the most common and serious pneumoconiosis. * **Bagassosis (Option B):** Caused by inhalation of dust from **sugarcane waste** (bagasse). It is primarily seen in the paper and cardboard manufacturing industries. * **Anthracosis (Option C):** Also known as "Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis," it is caused by the inhalation of coal dust over many years, typically seen in coal miners. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Schilling’s Classification:** Used to grade the severity of Byssinosis based on the timing of chest tightness. * **Farmer’s Lung:** Caused by grain dust or hay containing *Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula* (formerly *Micropolyspora faeni*). * **Egg-shell calcification:** A classic radiological finding in the hilar lymph nodes of patients with **Silicosis**. * **Snow-storm appearance:** Characteristic X-ray finding in **Silicosis**. * **Ground-glass appearance:** Characteristic X-ray finding in **Asbestosis**.

Q: Chest tightness occurring on Mondays is characteristic of which occupational lung disease?

Byssinosis. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Byssinosis**. This condition is an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of raw **cotton, flax, or hemp dust**. **Why Byssinosis is correct:** The hallmark clinical feature of Byssinosis is **"Monday Chest Tightness."** Symptoms of chest tightness, cough, and dyspnea typically appear on the first day of the work week (Monday) after a weekend break. This occurs because the dust triggers the release of histamine or other mediators, causing bronchoconstriction. Interestingly, symptoms often improve as the week progresses (tachyphylaxis), only to return after the next period of absence from work. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Asbestosis:** Caused by asbestos fibers; characterized by progressive interstitial fibrosis and the presence of "Asbestos bodies." It does not follow a weekly periodic pattern. * **Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis (CWP):** Caused by chronic inhalation of coal dust. It presents as "Anthracosis" or Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF) and is characterized by permanent lung scarring rather than episodic bronchospasm. * **Silicosis:** Caused by silica dust (mining, sandblasting). It is characterized by "Snowstorm appearance" on X-ray and "Eggshell calcification" of hilar lymph nodes, with no specific weekly periodicity. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Schilling’s Classification:** Used to grade Byssinosis (Grade ½: occasional Monday tightness; Grade 1: every Monday; Grade 2: Monday and other days; Grade 3: permanent incapacity). * **Other Names:** Also known as "Brown Lung Disease" or "Monday Fever." * **Prevention:** Controlled by "Workroom Ventilation" and "Pre-employment/Periodic medical checkups." * **Bagassosis:** A similar condition caused by **sugar cane dust** (thermophilic actinomycetes), but it does not typically feature the specific "Monday" pattern.

Q: What is the most frequent cancer associated with asbestos exposure?

Lung cancer. ### Explanation **1. Why Lung Cancer is the Correct Answer:** While Asbestos is famously linked to mesothelioma, **Bronchogenic Carcinoma (Lung Cancer)** is statistically the **most common** malignancy associated with asbestos exposure. It occurs much more frequently than mesothelioma in exposed workers. The risk is significantly potentiated by smoking; a worker who is exposed to asbestos and also smokes has a **50 to 90-fold increased risk** of developing lung cancer compared to the general population (a synergistic effect). **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **B. Pleural Mesothelioma:** This is the most **specific** or characteristic cancer associated with asbestos, but it is not the most frequent. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma is not related to cigarette smoking. * **C. Peritoneal Mesothelioma:** This is a rare form of mesothelioma involving the abdominal lining. While linked to asbestos, it occurs much less frequently than both lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma. * **D. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus:** While asbestos exposure is linked to various gastrointestinal and laryngeal cancers, these are far less common than primary respiratory malignancies. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Latency Period:** Lung cancer typically appears 15–20 years after exposure, whereas Mesothelioma has a longer latency period of 30–40 years. * **Asbestosis vs. Cancer:** Asbestosis is a restrictive lung disease (pneumoconiosis), while Bronchogenic Carcinoma is the leading cause of death in asbestos workers. * **Diagnostic Marker:** The presence of **Ferruginous bodies** (asbestos bodies) in sputum or lung biopsy indicates exposure. * **Rule of Thumb:** If the question asks for the "Most Common" cancer, choose **Lung Cancer**. If it asks for the "Most Specific" cancer, choose **Mesothelioma**.

Q: “White Fingers” may result from which of the following occupational hazards?

Vibration. **Explanation:** **Correct Answer: C. Vibration** “White Fingers,” also known as **Raynaud’s Phenomenon of Occupational Origin** or **Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF)**, is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high-frequency vibrations (typically 30–300 Hz). This occurs in workers using pneumatic drills, chainsaws, or jackhammers. The mechanical vibration causes chronic damage to the digital nerves and small blood vessels, leading to episodic vasospasms. Clinically, this manifests as blanching (whitening), numbness, and tingling of the fingers, often triggered by cold. It is a key component of **Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)**. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **A. Heat:** Occupational heat exposure typically leads to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or prickly heat (miliaria), not localized digital vasospasm. * **B. Cold:** While cold exposure can trigger an attack of "White Fingers," it is not the primary *etiological hazard* in this occupational context. General cold exposure leads to frostbite or trench foot. * **D. UV Radiation:** UV exposure is associated with occupational skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma), snow blindness (photokeratitis), and arc eye in welders. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Vibration-Induced White Finger (VWF)** is the most common form of secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon in industrial settings. * **Taylor’s Classification** is used to grade the severity of VWF based on blanching and interference with work/activities. * **Prevention:** Use of anti-vibration gloves, frequent breaks (10 mins break for every hour of work), and avoiding smoking (which worsens vasoconstriction). * **Other Vibration Hazards:** Whole-body vibration (e.g., tractor drivers) primarily leads to disc prolapse and low back pain.

Q: Destroying lead batteries releases all of the following contaminants except:

Mercury. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Mercury (D)**. Lead-acid batteries are primarily composed of lead and lead alloys. During the recycling or destruction process (smelting), various heavy metals used in the battery's construction are released into the environment. Mercury is not a component of standard lead-acid batteries; it is typically found in button cells, fluorescent lamps, and thermometers. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Lead (C):** This is the primary component of the battery plates and the most significant environmental contaminant released during destruction. * **Antimony (B):** Antimony is frequently alloyed with lead to harden the battery plates and improve mechanical strength. It is a common byproduct of lead smelting. * **Arsenic (A):** Arsenic is added in small quantities to lead-acid batteries to improve metallurgical properties and prevent corrosion. It is released as a toxic gas (arsine) or dust during the breaking and smelting process. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Plumbism:** Lead poisoning primarily affects the hematopoietic system (basophilic stippling, microcytic anemia), nervous system (wrist drop/foot drop), and kidneys (Fanconi syndrome). * **Burtonian Line:** A characteristic blue-purple line on the gums, seen in chronic lead poisoning. * **Screening:** The best screening test for lead exposure is **Blood Lead Level (BLL)**. For chronic exposure, **Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZPP)** is used. * **Chelation:** Treatment of choice for lead poisoning includes **Succimer (DMSA)** for mild cases and **Calcium Disodium EDTA** or **BAL (Dimercaprol)** for severe cases/encephalopathy.

Question 1

Which of the following is true about occupational cancers?

Accepted Answer

Scrotal cancer is common in dye industry workers

Answer

Seen even after exposure is stopped

Answer

Site for occurrence is common to occupation

Answer

Usually not seen in younger persons

Question 2

As a medical officer assessing job applicants for a company dealing with large amounts of lead, which of the following medical conditions in an applicant would be a cause for concern regarding their suitability for the role?

Accepted Answer

Bladder disease

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Peptic ulcer disease

Answer

Anemia

Question 3

Pneumoconiosis seen in Textile industry workers is:

Accepted Answer

Byssinosis

Answer

Silicosis

Answer

Bagassosis

Answer

Anthracosis

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true regarding the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act?

Accepted Answer

The state government's share of expenditure on medical care is 1/8; the ESI Corporation's share of expenditure on medical care is 7/8 of the total cost.

Answer

Funeral benefit is up to ₹50,000.

Answer

A person with daily wages of ₹70 has to contribute ₹300 towards ESI.

Answer

The employee contributes 4.75% and the employer contributes 8.75%.

Question 5

The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act is not applicable to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Educational institutions

Answer

Power working factories employing 10 or more people

Answer

Non-power working factories employing 20 or more people

Answer

Newspaper establishments

Question 6

Chest tightness occurring on Mondays is characteristic of which occupational lung disease?

Accepted Answer

Byssinosis

Answer

Asbestosis

Answer

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis

Answer

Silicosis

Question 7

Post-exposure prophylaxis in healthcare professionals is indicated in infections with all of the following EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Diphtheria

Answer

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Answer

Rabies

Answer

Measles

Question 8

What is the most frequent cancer associated with asbestos exposure?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer

Answer

Pleural mesothelioma

Answer

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Answer

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

Question 9

“White Fingers” may result from which of the following occupational hazards?

Accepted Answer

Vibration

Answer

Heat

Answer

Cold

Answer

UV Radiation

Question 10

Destroying lead batteries releases all of the following contaminants except:

Accepted Answer

Mercury

Answer

Arsenic

Answer

Antimony

Answer

Lead

Occupational Health — MCQs

Occupational Health — MCQs

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