What is an occupational disease?

An occupational disease refers to a work-related illness that is directly caused by the conditions or activities associated with a person's job. This encompasses a wide range of health issues that stem from exposure to harmful substances, repetitive motions, or stressful work environments over time. For instance, conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic respiratory diseases from chemical exposure, or hearing loss from continuous noise are all considered occupational diseases, as they result from the nature of the work performed.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of an occupational disease. Illnesses from non-work activities are not considered occupational because they are unrelated to job responsibilities. An accident at work typically refers to a sudden event resulting in injury, rather than a gradual onset illness caused by occupational exposure. Similarly, a rare genetic condition is not connected to work activities but is inherited through genetics, thus making it unrelated to occupational health.