Skin laboratory technicians

A laboratory technician repeatedly exposed to the vapor (unknown concentration) and to the liquid spilled on the skin developed anorexia, weight loss, weakness, muscle pain, and dark urine. During several months of nonexposure, there was gradual improvement in his condition, but, after brief reexposure, he suffered an immediate worsening of symptoms, with prompt darkening of the urine and tender enlargement of the liver. 

A young woman employed as a dental laboratory technician complains of conjunctivitis, skin irritation, and hair loss. On examination, she has perforation of the nasal septum and a milk and roses complexion. These signs and symptoms are most likely to be due to... 

Itchy rash-like eruptions on exposed skin areas in the factory workers who coat car badges with the resin have been reported within 1 week to 6 months of exposure to DMDI (White et al. 1983). The same was reported in workers of a glass-bottle factory, where DMDI was used to coat the bottles (Israeli et al. 1981), as well as in the workers of a PU-molding plant (Emmett 1976). Irritant dermatitis appearing in a laboratory technician within a few hours of contact with TDI and in a repair man have also been described (Rothe 1976). 

Chemists perform chemical tests and qualitative and quantitative analyses, conduct experiments for quality or process control, and develop new products and produce new knowledge. Nearly every industry employs chemists. Exposure to only a single chemical is exceptional. Because of the diversity and large number of skin-hazardous chemicals to which chemists may be exposed, it is impossible to give a comprehensive list of such chemicals, but it may be quite similar to that of laboratory technicians (see Chap. 147, Laboratory Technicians), Chemists are usually quite aware of the hazardous properties of chemical substances and the precautions necessary to ensure their safe use. Regrettably, chemists who habitually handle dangerous substances may become inclined to disregard the hazards associated with them (Muir 1977). 

Chemical laboratory technicians and associate laboratory workers are exposed to a great number of chemicals that cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria or skin burns. Laboratories that deal with biological specimens or laboratory animals, e.g., in hospitals, university clinical departments and pharmaceutical companies, share the hazards of chemistry laboratories however, human and animal tissue specimens, and laboratory animals contribute additional risks of contact urticaria and skin infections. Laboratory assistants are at greater risk of sensitization than workers in general. Also, the risk of skin infections is increased (Karjalainen et al. 1997)-... 

Quirce S, Olaguibel JM, Garcia BE, Tabar AI (1993) Occupational airborne contact dermatitis due to benzoyl peroxide. Contact Dermatitis 29 165-166 Rustemeyer T, Frosch PJ (1996) Occupational skin diseases in dental laboratory technicians. (I). Clinical picture and causative factors. Contact Dermatitis... 

Rustemeyer T, Frosch PJ (1996) Occupational skin diseases in dental laboratory technicians. (I). Clinical picture and causative factors. Contact Dermatitis... 

Genetic tests are performed on a sample of blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. For example, a procedure called a buccal smear uses a small brush or cotton swab to collect a sample of cells from the inside surface of the cheek. The sample is sent to a laboratory where technicians look for specific changes in chromosomes, DNA, or proteins, depending on the suspected disorder. The laboratory reports the test results in writing to a person s doctor or genetic counselor. 

The analysis for metal ultratraces requires extremely clean laboratories [2]. This, in turn, requires the use of a carefully filtered air supply. All reagents used must be certifledly ultrapure and their purity be preserved. Deionized water should be carefully controlled to ascertain the absence of contaminating traces —this requires all technicians to exercise care to avoid contamination by their hair, skin, cosmetics, excretions or even the exhaled air. A strict control of the analytical blank [3] Is obviously another must in this type of analysis to avoid spurious results In the determination of some trace or ultratrace analytes. 

Some investigators and animal care technicians who have prolonged contact with laboratory animals may develop aUeigies to animal dander, hair, urine, tissues, or secretions. Reactions to skin contact or inhalation of these materials vary from a wheal and flare phenomenon (a firm, red raised area af fhe sife of skin confact which develops within several minutes) to hfe-threatening anaphylactic shock. 

Technician holding an epidermal strip grown in the laboratory. Epidermal cells make up the epidermis, the tough outer layer of the skin. When cultured under the correct conditions, these human cells form epidermal strips that can be used to treat shin diseases such as vitiligo, a pigmentation disorder. (Mauro Fermariello/Photo Researchers, Inc.)... 

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