Information for Health Care Providers on the Occupational Lung Disease Registry

What is the Occupational Lung Disease Registry?

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Occupational Lung Disease Registry (OLDR) was established in 1981 to reduce morbidity and mortality due to exposure to respirable toxic materials in the work environment. Reporting to the OLDR is essential to public health prevention and surveillance efforts.

Who is required to report to the Occupational Lung Disease Registry?

Under Part 22 of the State Sanitary Code, every physician, health care facility and clinical laboratory in attendance on a person with clinical evidence of occupational lung disease shall report such occurrence to the New York State Department of Health within 10 days.

When is a lung disease considered “occupational”?

A workplace exposure can either be the cause, a contributing factor or an aggravating factor in the development of a lung disease. Identifying the correct etiology of the illness can facilitate formulation of the diagnosis and assist in the correction of a hazardous environment.

What diseases are reportable?

All occupational lung diseases are reportable, including:

  • Asbestosis/Asbestosis-related Disease
  • Occupational Asthma (which includes Reactive Airways Dysfunction)
  • Silicosis
  • Occupational Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
  • Beryliosis
  • Byssinosis
  • Coal Workers Lung Disease
  • Heard Metals Disease
  • Occupational Bronchitis
  • Other Occupational Lung Disease

How do I report to the Occupational Lung Disease Registry?

To report a patient with occupational lung disease you can fill out the Occupational Lung Disease Physician Reporting Form or call toll free (866) 807-2130.

What does the Occupational Lung Disease Registry do with the information?

Information is used to identify workplaces and industries where exposures may cause lung disease among the employees. Program staff educate employees about appropriate work practices and protection. Program industrial hygiene staff work with both employers and employees, to assist them in identifying and preventing workplace exposures. Educational information about exposure and prevention is also provided to health care providers.

Resources for Physicians on Diagnosing, Treating and Reporting Occupational Lung Disease

  • Consultations and Referrals:
    • New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network (OHCN) is available for both consultation and referrals to help assist with the diagnosis and treatment of occupational diseases. The OHCN's board-certified occupational medicine physicians and staff are also experts in dealing with the Workers' Compensation system and assisting patients during the compensation process.
  • Articles:
  • Tools and Other Materials:
    • Occupational Lung Disease Physician Reporting Form
    • Occupational Lung Disease Toolkit contains materials on occupational health, work-related asthma, and the OLDR. Some of the topics addressed by the toolkit include taking an environmental and occupational exposure history, the availability of the New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network for consultation and referral, how to report to the OLDR, and asthmagens that put workers at risk.
    • Occupational Lung Disease Fact Sheet provides questions and answers about the OLDR, facts about occupational lung diseases, information on flavorings related lung disease and work-related asthma, and results of a survey regarding the Occupational Lung Disease toolkit.
    • Occupational Asthmagens is a list of common occupational asthma triggers and the occupations where they are often encountered.
    • Silicosis and Crystalline Silica Exposure provides information for physicians on silicosis and silica exposure.