Forestry workers

In a study of 66 occupational groups (and 170 individual occupations) in Sweden (Hellgren 1976), lichen planus was found to be more prevalent in agriculture and forestry workers than in the total population, an observation that was ascribed to the dirty nature of these occupations where skin became contaminated with soil, etc. 

Forestry workers are also at risk of developing occupational skin diseases from contact with other vegetation in the forest and from contact with epiphytes - vegetation growing on the trees. In North America, poison ivy and its relatives Toxicodendron spp., fam. Anacardiaceae) are a well-documented (and to some extent avoidable) hazard for all manner of outdoor workers including forestry workers (Oltman and Hensler 1986). Rather more difficult to avoid are the epiphytic lichens and liverworts that grow on the 

Kanerva et al. (ed.), Handbook of Occupational Dermatology Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 

A discussion of the adverse skin reactions arising from the use of timbers post-harvesting is beyond the scope of this article. Information on this topic may be found elsewhere in this volume. 

It is probably inappropriate to think of cedar (or pine/spruce) poisoning as exclusively a lichen-mediated condition, since co-occurring liverworts may well contribute to the eruption (Mitchell et al. 1969). The impression gained by those dermatologists most closely involved is that lichens are somewhat less sensitising than liverworts (Mitchell 1965,1986). 

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Environmental factors have been identified as contributing to the development of NHL. Certain occupations such as wood and forestry workers, butchers, exterminators, grain millers, machinists, mechanics, painters, printers, and industrial workers have a higher prevalence of disease. Industrial chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals (e.g., benzene), solvents, and wood preservatives are also associated with NHL. 

Wiklund K, Holme L Soft-tissue sarcoma risk in Swedish agricultural and forestry workers. J Natl Cancer Inst 76 229-234, 1986... 

Exposure studies by Lavy et al. ( 1) on forest applicators showed a 6-day mean excretion of 0.033 mg/kg body weight from single day exposures. A considerable range of 2,4,5-T was measured in the urine for different crew members, with a mixer excreting the highest level (0.096 mg/kg) and a flagman the lowest level (0.001 mg/kg) per exposure. In a subsequent 2,4-D study on forestry workers, T. L. Lavy, J. D. Walstad, R. R. Flynn, and J. D. Mattice (1980, unpub), found mean values of less than <0.02, 0.02, 0.006, 0.003, and 0.001 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for batchmen, pilots, mechanics, supervisors, and observers. 

Balarajan R, Acheson ED. 1984. Soft tissue sarcoma in agriculture and forestry workers. J Epidemiol Community Health 38 113-116. 

Oak moss resin is usually reported as a contact allergen in those who use perfumed products, but is also reported in rural and forestry workers (2). Perfumes are recognized as being potential sensitizers in soluble oils (3), but oak moss as a specific sensitizer within a coolant has not previously been reported. 

Wood dusts Cabinet makers, carpenters, forestry workers,... 

Green LM A cohort mortality study of forestry workers to phenoxy acid herbicides. 

Hogstedt C. and Westerland B Cohort study of causes of death of forestry workers with and without exposure to phenoxy acid preparations. Lakartidningen 77 1828-1831, 1980,... 

The hypothesis that phenoxy herbicides are a cause of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) also commenced in Sweden. Three case-control studies conducted by the same investigators reported relative risks of 3.3 to 5.7 for such an association (Table V) (42-44 ). However, as with malignant lymphoma, it is difficult to explain such dramatic risks associated with short term exposures. Moreover, Wiklund and Holm (45) found no overall risk increase from STS among Swedish agriculture and forestry workers (RR—0.9 95% Cl 0.8-1.0). 

Slappendal, C., Laird, L., Kawachi, L, Marshell, S., Ctyer, C. (1993). Factors affecting work related injury in forestry workers A review. Journal of Safety Research, 24, 19-32. 

For example, adverse effects on semen quality have been observed in forestry workers and papaya workers following exposure to fumigants containing ethylene dibromide (EDB). Furthermore, adverse effects to semen quality were observed at exposure levels near the NIOSH recommended limit for EDB and greatly below OSHA s current standard for EDB. 

Bovenzi M, Franzinelli A, Mancini R, Cannava MG, Maiorano M, Ceccarelli F (1995) Dose-response relation for vascular disorders induced by vibration in the fingers of forestry workers. Occup Environ Med 52 722-730... 

Heinonen E, Farkkila M, Forsstrom J, Antila K, Jalonen J, Korhonen O, Pyykko I (1987) Autonomic neuropathy and vibration exposure in forestry workers. Br J Ind Med 44 412-416... 

Sporotrichosis Sporothrix schenkii Cosmopolitan more frequent in the Americas and South Africa than in Europe Inoculation by trauma (diorns, splinters, etc.) Common among South African miners sporadic among forestry workers, florists or gardeners... 

Mota AV, Barros MA, Mesquita Guimaraes J (1997) Contact dermatitis from moss in a forestry worker. Contact Dermatitis 37 240-241... 

In Italian forestry workers, the prevalence of HAVS was recently found to be 23% (Bovenzi et al. 1995). The prevalence in chippers was reported as 36% compared with 5% in rammers and 3% in grinders (Harazin and Langauer-Lewowicka 1996). In a Dutch postal survey, an overall prevalence of 17% for HAVS was found among workers exposed to vibration tools (Musson et al. 1989). 

Bovenzi M (1990) Medical aspects of the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Int J Industrial Ergonomics 6 61-73 Bovenzi M, Franzinelli A, Mancini R, et al. (1995) Dose-response relation for vascular disorders induced by vibration in the fingers of forestry workers. Occup Environ Med 52 722-730 Cherniack MG (1990) Raynaud s phenomenon of occupational origin. Arch Intern Med 150 519-522 Ekenvdl L (1987) Clinical assessment of suspected damage from hand-held vibrating tools. Scand J Work Environ Health... 

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