OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS IN SHOEMAKERS

In an epidemiological study of occupational dermatitis in 5 different shoe factories, 246 workers were interviewed, examined and patch teste d using standard and occupational patch test series. The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis was 14.6% (36/246): 8.1% (20/246) irr itant contact dermatitis (OICD) and 6.5% (16/246) allergic contact der matitis (OACD). Among the latter, the most common occupational allerge ns were p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin and mercaptobenzothiazol e. 6% (15/246) presented with hyperkeratosis of the fingertips, while 3.2% (8/246) reported pruritus sine materia (PSM) present only during working hours. 2 workers presented with vitiligo-like leukodermic patc hes on the backs of their hands and on their forearms. Some jobs were more frequently associated with skin complaints. In the assembly depar tment, OACD was most frequent (11.4%), attributed to contact with adhe sives and, to a lesser degree, with rubber and leather. OICD caused by contact with the solvents contained in adhesives and varnishes was mo st frequent in the assembly and trimming departments (17.1% and 15.6%, respectively). PSM, probably caused by the dust present in the workin g environment was reported by 33.3% of the workers in the sole-cutting and scraping departments. Hyperkeratosis of the fingertips, as a reac tion to the continuous trauma of leather on the skin, was observed mos t frequently (41.6%) in the sole-cutting department. (C) Munksgaard, 1 996.