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NIOSH Home > Safety and Health Topics >Skin Exposures and Effects >Occupational & Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals- 2005> Abstracts

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Abstract for Poster 4

 

 

Self-reported skin exposure - a population-based study

I. Anveden*1, K. Wrangsjö2, B. Järvholm3, B. Meding4
1Occupational and environmental medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
2Department of Medicin Karolinska institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
3Occupational Medicine, Umeå, Sweden
4National Institute for Working life, Stockholm, Sweden

Background

Hand eczema is the most frequent occupational skin disease. The 1-year prevalence in the general population of working age in Sweden is about 10%. The total exposure to skin irritants in occupational life as well as in leisure time contributes to hand eczema. High-risk occupations are found in the health care sector, in service occupations and in the manufacturing industry. The aim of this study was to estimate self-reported skin exposure in relation to hand eczema, gender and occupation.

Method

In a previous population-based study, using postal questionnaires, 215/2218 individuals stated hand eczema. 182 out of these and 182 individuals without hand eczema, matched for age and sex, participated in a telephone interview. Questions regarding exposure to skin irritants at work and in leisure time were asked.

Results

No differences were shown in reported occupational exposure to water and detergents, chemicals or hand washing between individuals with and without hand eczema. Women reported more wet exposure than men at work, as well as in leisure time. Men reported more exposure to chemicals than women. As expected, individuals in high-risk occupations reported more frequent exposure to water, chemicals, foodstuffs, and hand washing than in low-risk occupations. Notable is that about half of the individuals in high-risk occupations reported exposure to water and detergents for less than ½ h/day and 10 or less hand washings/day and that 11% of individuals in low-risk occupations reported exposure to water and detergents for more than ½h/day. Individuals with occupational exposure to water and detergents for more than 1/2 h/day also reported wet hands in leisure time to a high extent.

Conclusion

Individuals with and without hand eczema seem to have similar exposure to skin irritants, and women report more wet exposure than men at work as well as in leisure time. Classification in high- and low-risk occupations does not always reflect the true exposure. In future health surveys questions regarding exposure to water, hand washing and protective gloves should be included, and the questions need to be validated. The total exposure of skin irritants is essential, why it is necessary to ask for wet exposure at work as well as in leisure time.

 

Content last modified: 15 May 2005

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