Occupational Hazards Trivia Quiz

Answer: Writer's cramp

Also known as mogigraphia, writer's cramp affects such activities as writing or playing musical instruments, especially for prolonged periods. It has been known, strangely, to strike many students whose homework is due in the next day.

Question submitted by louisehaim.

Answer: Ears

Characterised by inflammation of the external ear canal, itching and tenderness, swimmer's ear (as it is often called) is a bacterial infection which can also be caused by allergies, fungal infections, and irritations in the ear.

Don't let me put you off swimming though, it's still an extremely healthy way to keep fit and burns off more calories than walking or cycling.

Question submitted by BanalAppeal.

Answer: Mercury

Inorganic mercury compounds were used by felt workers in the hatmaking process, mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The mercury vapours given off caused a neurological disorder known as erethism, with symptoms potentially including tremors, irritability, shyness, delirium and memory loss. This is the source of the expression 'mad as a hatter'.

Question submitted by suomy.

Answer: Tennis elbow

You don't have to be a tennis player to be affected by tennis elbow; this overuse injury can be caused by many things, including playing active video games such as the Wii, PlayStation and Xbox... You have been warned!

Question submitted by MissCirrus.

Answer: Inhaling cotton dust

Although you'd think it might apply to people overindulging at the weekend, it is a potentially serious occupational lung disease. There were some 81 fatalities in the US during the 1990s related to this disease. Exposure to dust, hemp and flax can also cause the disease.

Why Monday fever? Perhaps because symptoms tend to be greatest on renewed exposure to the dust at the beginning of the week and diminish as tolerance is built up during the week.

Question submitted by suomy.

Answer: Housemaid's knee

Gentlemen, beware! Despite its name, housemaid's knee can happen to males, too. This painful affliction is normally caused by either a one-time severe trauma to the knee, or from repetitive traumas that can occur over time. Any professional whose job requires a lot of kneeling, such as a gardener or carpet-layer, is also prone to the injury but the most common job associated with it is the housemaid, who often spent hours on her knees scrubbing floors in olden times.

Question submitted by Caz231231.

Answer: Brewer's droop

This temporary form of alcohol-related impotence can occur when a chap quaffs 'one too many.' Although some view alcohol as an aphrodisiac, long-term alcohol abuse can have quite the opposite effect - it can damage the nervous system, thus impairing impulses between the brain's pituitary gland and the genitals, and cause permanent impotence. This is just another reason to drink responsibly, should you need one!

Question submitted by MissCirrus.

Answer: Gamer's thumb

Continuous use of video games, excessive cell phone text messaging, and prolonged tapping with a stylus is stressful on tendons, nerves, and ligaments in the hands and arms, and can lead to long-term consequences such as tendonitis, bursitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Question submitted by Cliff Clavin.

Answer: Phossy jaw

Formally known as phosphorus necrosis of the jaw, affected bones would glow pale green in the dark. It was an extremely painful condition and could lead to death. Luckily, due to modern workday practices, this disease has been completely eliminated.

Question submitted by louisehaim.

Answer: Weaver's bottom

Not to be confused with Shakespeare's character, Bottom the Weaver, weaver's bottom - or to give it its medical name ischial bursitis - is a condition causing inflammation of the bone in the buttocks. This 'pain in the backside' is quite rare today but has been seen in those who spend long hours sitting in front of a computer.

Question submitted by MissCirrus.