EXPOSURE, SKIN PROTECTION AND OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES IN THE GLASS-FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS INDUSTRY

A total of 100 workers, 86 from the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (G RP) industry, 11 from polystyrene production and 3 from polyester resi n coating manufacture, were examined for occupational skin hazards and for evaluation of skin protection. The workers had been exposed to ma ny chemicals. Those working in the GRP industry had also been exposed to glass fibre and to dust produced by finishing work. 94% used protec tive gloves. 22 workers, all employed in the GRP industry, had contrac ted occupational skin disorders. 6 had allergic and 12 irritant contac t dermatitis. 4 workers had an accidental injury caused by a peroxide catalyst, fire, hot air and constant mechanical friction. Allergic der matoses were due to natural rubber (latex) (4 cases) in protective glo ves, phenol-formaldehyde resin (1 case) and cobalt naphthenate (1 case ). Irritant hand dermatoses (5 cases) were caused by the combined haza rdous effect of unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins, organic s olvents, glass fibre and dust from finishing work on the skin. Other c ases of irritant dermatoses (7 cases) were due to the dust, promoted b y mechanical friction of clothes. Skin disorders in the GRP industry w ere common (26%) but the symptoms were mild and only 3 patients had be en on sick leave because of occupational skin disease.