Roofing, pitch workers

Coal tar and related products produce a very distinctive photosensitive reaction known as tar smarts or pitch smarts [6, 7]. The patient experiences burning and stinging while in the sun. This occurs with as little as 15 min of exposure. Roofers with exposure to pitch and coal tar are most susceptible and direct skin contact is not necessary, since aerosolized contact is sufficient to produce the reaction. Associated ophthalmologic involvement may occur [8]. Kochevar and colleagues reported that the sensitizers in coal tar included acridine, anthracene, benzopyrene and fiu-orabthene [9]. Reactions to creosote in roof paper and creosote-soaked wood products, including saw dust and boxes, have been reported in over 400 workers [10,... 

Emmett EA, Stetzer L, Taphorn B (177) Phototoxic keratoconjunctivitis from coal-tar pitch volatiles. Science 198 841-842 Hammond EC, Selikoff IJ, Hawther PL, et al. (1976) Inhalation of benzopyrene and cancer in man. Ann NY Acad Sci 271 116-125 Herbert R, Gerr F, Luo J, et al. (1995) Peripheral neurologic abnormalities among roofing workers sentinel case and clinical screening. Arch Environ Health 50 349-354 Hodgson CA, Whiteley HJ (1970) Personal susceptibility to pitch. Br J Ind Med 27 160-166... 

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