Skin occupation

MS(B)9 Save your skin occupational contact dermatitis... 

Sartorelli P, Aprea C, Bussani R, et al. 1997. In vitro percutaneous penetration of methyl-parathion from a commercial formulation through the human skin. Occup Environ Med 54 524-525. 

Samitz M (1985) Repeated mechanical trauma to the skin occupational aspects. Am J Ind Med 8 265-271... 

Zugerman C (1986) Cutting fluids, their use and effects on the skin. Occup Med 1 245-258... 

Parmeggiani L (ed) (1983) Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, 3rd edn. International Labour Office, Geneva Zugerman C (1986) Cutting fluids. Their use and effects on the skin. Occup Med 1 245-258... 

Health and Safety Factors. Malononitrile is usually available as a soHdifted melt in plastic-Hned dmms. Remelting has to be done carefully because spontaneous decomposition can occur at elevated temperatures, particularly above 100°C, in the presence of impurities such as alkaHes, ammonium, and 2inc salts. Melting should be carried out by means of a water bath and only shordy before use. Occupational exposure to malononitrile mainly occurs by inhalation of vapors and absorption through the skin. Malononitrile has a recommended workplace exposure limit of 8 mg/m, an LD q (oral, rats) of 13.9 mg/kg, and is classified as slight irritant (skin irritation, rabbits). Transport classification RID/ADR 61, IMDG-Code 6.1, lATA/ICAO 6.1. 

Workers in the metals treatment industry are exposed to fumes, dusts, and mists containing metals and metal compounds, as well as to various chemicals from sources such as grinding wheels and lubricants. Exposure can be by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Historically, metal toxicology was concerned with overt effects such as abdominal coHc from lead toxicity. Because of the occupational health and safety standards of the 1990s such effects are rare. Subtie, chronic, or long-term effects of metals treatment exposure are under study. An index to safety precautions for various metal treatment processes is available (6). As additional information is gained, standards are adjusted. 

Although most nickel sensitization results from nonoccupational exposures, nickel dermatitis was historically a problem in workplaces where there was a high risk of continuous contact with soluble nickel, eg, in electroplating (qv) shops. Improved personal and industrial hygiene has largely eliminated this problem. However, there are a few occupations involving wet nickel work, particularly where detergents faciUtate the penetration of skin by nickel, where hand eczema may occur (126). 

Phenol fumes are irritating to the eyes, nose, and skin. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), exposure to phenol should be controUed so that no employees are exposed to phenol concentrations >20 mg/m, which is a time-weighted average concentration for up to a 10-h work day, 40-h work week. Phenol is very toxic to fish and has a nearly unique property of tainting the taste of fish if present in marine... 

Amorphous sihca is classified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a nuisance dust. The principal reported health reaction is contact dermatitis resulting from the absorption of protective oils from the skin (1). 

Exposure to tantalum metal dust may cause eye injury and mucous-membrane irritation. The threshold limit value (TLV) in air is 5 mg/m, LD q is <400 mg/kg and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit is 5 mg/m (47). The immediate dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration is 2500 mg/m (48). Whereas some skin injuries from tantalum have been reported, systemic industrial poisoning is apparently unknown (47). 

Care must be exercised in handling carbon disulfide because of both health concerns and the danger of fire or explosions. Occupational exposure potentially may involve as many as 20,000 workers in the United States (136). Ingestion is rare, but a 10 mL dose can prove fatal (137). Contact usually occurs by inhalation of vapor. However, vapor and Hquid can be absorbed through intact skin and poisoning may occur by the dermal route (138). 

Other toxicological effects that may be associated with exposure to benzyl chloride based on animal studies are skin sensitization and developmental embryo and/or fetal toxicity. A 1980 OSHA regulation has estabhshed a national occupational exposure limit for benzyl chloride of 5 mg/m (1 ppm). Concentrations of 160 mg/m (32 ppm) in air cause severe irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract (68). 

Chloracne and related skin problems have been observed in several groups of workers and it was suggested that the ak concentrations of commercial PCBs >0.2 mg/m were associated with this effect (62). It was also reported that after occupational exposure to PCBs was terminated there was a gradual decrease in the severity and number of dermatological problems in the exposed workers, and this paralleled a decrease in thek semm levels of PCBs (61). 

Power of Six Powder Paints to Cause Irritations and Allergies of the Skin INRS, Dept, of Occupational Pathology, France, May 1979. 

Like other proteins, enzymes are potential allergens. In addition, proteases may act as skin and eye irritants. However, during the production and handling of industrial enzymes, the occupational health risks entailed by these properties can be avoided by protective measures, and by the form in which... 

Enzyme manufacturers have developed formulations that minimize the release of enzyme dust. In the case of Hquid preparations, handling precautions recommend users to avoid the formation of aerosol sprays. In all cases, direct contact with the skin or eyes should be avoided. Enzymes have a good record of occupational health and safety. 

The toxicity of a substance is its capacity to cause injury once inside the body. The main modes of entry into the body by chemicals in industry are inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin. Gases, vapours, mists, dusts, fumes and aerosols can be inhaled and they can also affect the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Ingestion is rare although possible as a result of poor personal hygiene, subconscious hand-to-mouth contact, or accidents. The skin can be affected directly by contact with the chemicals, even when intact, but its permeability to certain substances also offers a route into the body. Chemicals accorded a skin notation in the list of Occupational Exposure Limits (see Table 5.12) are listed in Table 5.2. Exposure may also arise via skin lesions. 

The Occupational Exposure Standards imposed for trichloroethylene are Maximum Exposure Limits of 100 ppm (8 hr TWA) and 150 ppm (15 minute reference period). A skin notation Sk is applicable because of the potential for skin absorption. Because of its volatility, trichloroethylene is not recommended for cold cleaning it is normally used in partially enclosed vapour degreasing equipment provided with local exhaust ventilation. 

Occupational skin diseases health and safety precautions... 

MS 3 Skin tests m dermatitis and occupational chest disease... 

Formaldehyde has been rated as a possible carcinogen by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) rules and should be handled with due caution. It is also a strong lacrymator and choking respiratory irritant. It irritates the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes [76]. Since it is used for tanning leather, it is obvious that fonnaldehyde has a high potential for reactions with proteins. Formaldehyde gas is flammable and most formalin solutions contain significant amounts of methanol, which is also volatile, toxic, and flammable. 

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