Workers Dermatitis

Synthetic coolants used in factories producing pistons can produce eruptions on the hands of machine tool operators (Angelini and Meneghini 1977). In these cases, ethylenediamine sensitivity may be a major cause (Crow et al. 1978). 

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride Diphenhydramine hydrochloride Diphenhydramine hydrochloride Diphenhydramine hydrochloride Clemastine fiimarate Carbinoxame maleate Dimenhydrinate Doxylamine succinate Carbinoxamine maleate 

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The only study located regarding immunological effects in humans after dermal exposure to endosulfan was an account of the results of patch tests on the backs of 14 farm workers with work-related dermatitis and 8 controls who were not exposed to pesticides (Schuman and Dobson 1985). Skin sensitization was not observed in any of the subjects following a 48-hour, closed-patch exposure to an unspecified amount of 0.1 % endosulfan in petrolatum. 

Schuman SH, Dobson RE. 1985. An outbreak of contact dermatitis in farm workers. J Am Acad Dermatol 13 220-223. 

Contact dermatitis is a common reason for dermatology referrals and constitutes up to 90% of all workers compensation claims for dermatologic conditions. Although most often seen in adulthood, contact dermatitis can affect all age groups, with females at slightly greater risk than males.28... 

FIGURE 62-5. Allergic contact dermatitis of the hand chromates. Confluent papules, vesicles, erosions, and crusts on the dorsum of the left hand in a construction worker who was allergic to chromates. (From Wolff K, Johnson RA. Eczema/ dermatitis. Fitzpatrick s Color Atlas Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. New York McGraw-Hill, 2005 27.)... 

Workers exposed to acrylonitrile vapors at 16 to 100 ppm for 20 to 45 minutes complained of intolerable itching of the skin, but no dermatitis was observed (Wilson et al. 1948). This is presumably a direct irritant effect of acrylonitrile on the skin. 

Skin diseases are the second most common form of occupational disease with contact dermatitis accounting for 10 to 15% of all occupational illnesses with an annual associated cost of at least 1 billion [7], Although irritant dermatitis accounts for the majority of cases of contact dermatitis, studies have reported that contact allergies are relevant in between 20 to 50% of contact dermatitis cases [8], In 2003 there were 49 cases of occupational skin disease reported for every 100,000 workers in private... 

The recent Burden of Skin Disease study, a joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Society of Investigative Dermatology, found that the third most common skin ailment was contact dermatitis. According to this study, 72 million Americans had contact dermatitis in 2004 which resulted in 1.4 billion in direct costs and almost 500 million in indirect costs due to lost productivity.83 A review of 1993 BLS data showed that of 60,200 cases of occupational skin diseases, 12,613 (21%) resulted in one or more days away from work.70 The mean time away from work was 3 days, but 17% lost workday cases had over 11 days away from work. Of those with days away from work, 70% had a diagnosis of dermatitis. In 2001, of the 38,900 skin disease cases, 6,051 (16%) resulted in days away from work, with a median of 3 days lost.68 Of these, 78% had dermatitis. A study of 235 Canadian workers with oc-... 

Mathias, C.G.T., Contact dermatitis and workers compensation — Criteria for establishing occupational causation and aggravation. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 20, 842, 1989. 

A deficiency of niacin in the diet results in the disease known as pellagra, characterized by the four D s diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and death. In the early years of the twentieth century in the United States, pellagra was common among poor tenant farmers and mill workers in the rural South. The diet there at that time was rich in com that contained little niacin and little available tryptophan from which to synthesize it. 

Some workers exposed to the salt form of 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine complained of sore throat, respiratory infections, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, caustic bums, and dermatitis (an inflammation of the skin). However, with the exception of dermatitis, it is not certain that 3,3 -dichloro-benzidine causes these health effects because the workers were also exposed to other chemicals at the... 

Dermal Effects. Dermatitis was cited as the only verified health problem encountered by workers in contact with the free base of 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine in a dichlorobenzidine manufacturing plant (Gerarde and Gerarde 1974). 

Systemic Effects. Dermatitis appears to be the only effect of 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine (free base) exposure for which evidence exists in humans (Gerarde and Gerarde 1974). Gastrointestinal upset and upper respiratory tract infections have also been reported by workers, but the role of 3,3 -dichloro-benzidine was imcertain. 3,3 -Dichlorobenzidine has not been found to cause these effects in experimental animals. 

NIOSH, in 1980, concluded that dming the use of benzidine-based dyes, the greatest potential for exposme would be expected to be by dermal absorption or inhalation by personnel who routinely handle dry powders (NIOSH 1980). However, EPA (1980b) has generalized that dermal absorption in the workplace is probably a minor route of 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine exposure, although dermatitis has occurred in workers in plants where 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine and 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine-based pigments were manufactured. It may be that health risks with regard to 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine exposme depend on the specific operations of the individual plant and the extent of personal protective practices of the individual operator. 

Nillson, R Nordlinder, R Wass, U. Asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis in workers exposed to reactive dyes. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1993 50, 65-70. 

Workers in a ball-bearing manufacturing plant in Taiwan had severe dermatitis as a result of exposure to kerosene that was used as a degreasing agent. Eczema and erythema were also prevalent among the workers (Jee et al. 1985). 

Workers exposed to the vapor and/or liquid complained of dermatitis with itching, swelling, and blister formation. Skin sensitization has occurred cross sensitization probably can occur with other epoxy agents. ... 

Under normal conditions of exposure borates are primarily irritants of the skin and respiratory system. Workers exposed to anhydrous sodium tetraborate complained of nasal irritation, nose bleeds, cough, shortness of breath, and dermatitis. Exposure levels were not measured, but total dust levels were described as high enough to obscure visibility in production areas. In another study of borax workers, symptoms of acute respiratory irritation including dryness of the mouth, nose, or throat, cough, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath were related to exposures of 4mg/m or more. ... 

Two workers exposed to spilled BGE for up to 4 hours in a confined space developed symptoms of coughing, vomiting, ataxia, and headache. No chronic systemic effects have been reported in humans. Elowever, sensitization dermatitis may occur with repeated skin contact. ... 

Toxicology. Chlorothalonil is an irritant to the skin and eyes and has been reported to produce allergic contact dermatitis in exposed workers. 

Patch testing demonstrated that between 10% and 28% of 88 Japanese farmers were sensitive to chlorothalonil and other pesticides. Thirty-five of these farmers had acute dermatitis. Photosensitization was involved in some cases. Reactions were also observed in greenhouse workers, vegetable farmers, and others with pesticide-induced dermatitis. Four cases of severe recurrent contact dermatitis have been reported in workers exposed to chlorothalonil-containing wood preservatives. ... 

Unlike nickel, chromium metal does not produce allergic contact dermatitis. Some patients exhibit positive patch tests to divalent chromium compounds, but these compounds are considerably less potent as sensitizers than hexavalent chromium compounds. A case of chromium (chromic) sulfate-induced asthma in a plating worker, confirmed by specific challenge testing and the presence of IgE antibodies, has been reported. ... 

Dermatitis was cited as the only verified health problem encountered by workers in contact with DCB at a DCB manufacturing plant. Applied to the skin of rabbits DCB dihydrochloride caused no discernable reaction instilled in the rabbit eye 20 mg (as 0.1 ml of 20% corn oil suspension) produced erythema, pus, and corneal opacity. No effects were reported when 100 mg of the free base was placed in rabbit eyes. 

DDVP has been shown to cause a persistent irritant contact dermatitis in one worker with negative patch tests and appears to be capable of inducing an allergic contact dermatitis. ... 

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