Estimated burden of disease attributable to selected occupational exposures in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: As part of an effort to strengthen occupational safety and health programs, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) commissioned a study to estimate the burden of disease attributable to occupational exposure to carcinogens, particulate matter, and noise.

Methods: We developed an innovative simulation model to estimate the occupational disease burden and facilitate future assessments as more field-based quantitative data become available.

Results: We determined that, in 2008, an estimated 46 deaths (95% CI: 27-71) and 17,000 health-care facility visits (95% CI: 16,000-18,000), along with 4,500 cases of noise-induced hearing loss, were attributable to the occupational risk factors covered in this study.