OCCUPATIONAL DERMATITIS IN DANISH GARDENERS AND GREENHOUSE WORKERS(I)- PREVALENCE AND POSSIBLE RISK-FACTORS

Floristry is considered a hazardous occupation from a dermatological p oint of view, but there are relatively few epidemiological studies to support this notion. The present investigation set out to assess the p revalence of and association between occupational dermatitis and possi ble risk factors in Danish gardeners and greenhouse workers. A cross-s ectional study, based on a postal questionnaire and subsequent examina tion and patch testing of those who had occupational eczema from their present work or occupational problems with Compositae, was carried ou t in 1958 gardeners and greenhouse workers. The response rate was 84.6 % and among 301 persons invited for further examination, 253 (84.1%) a ttended. The lifetime prevalence of occupational eczema in floristry, defined as dermatitis lasting more than 24 h, was 19.6% (95% confidenc e intervals 17.8-21.3%) among all potential respondents. Occupational mucosal symptoms, working with Compositae plants and a history of prev ious occupational eczema in floristry were significantly associated wi th an increased risk of occupational eczema. Sex, age and atopy did no t seem to be important risk factors. The results confirm that floristr y is a dermatologically hazardous occupation and emphasize the importa nce of eliciting agents in the working environment rather than persona l inherent factors.