Document 6bvGk45o8M46b2JeQ5b3L2Zpg

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Occupational Skin Diseases Industrial skm diseases account for about one half to two thirds of all compensation claims for occupational diseases. These claims are scattered throughout all types of industry and sometimes appear where occu pational skm diseases may be least expected. Types of dermatitis There are two general types of derma* tabs, primary irritation and sensitization Nearly all persons will suffer primary ir ritation dermatitis from mechanical agents such as friction, from physical agents such as heat or cold, and from chemical agents such as acids, allmlm, irritant gases, and vapors Bnef contact with a high concen tration of a primary irritant or prolonged exposure to a low concentration will cause inflammation. Allergy is not a factor in these conditions Sensitization dermatitis, on the other hand, is the result of an allergic reaction to a given substance. The sensitivity becomes established over a relatively long induction period which may be a few days to a few months In most cases, it is ten days to a month. After the sensitivity has become es tablished, exposure to even a small amount of the sensitizing material is likely to pro duce a severe reaction There are various grades of sensitivity, and many people who are sensitized to the materials they are han dling can continue to work with diem with out trouble if they simply take precautions against direct contact With severe sensi tization, however, it may be difficult or im possible to control the exposure sufficiently to permit the individual to go on working with the material. Some substances can produce both pri mary irritation dermatitis and sensitization dermatitis Among them are organic sol vents, formaldehyde, and chromic acid Canses of dermatitis Causes of occupational dermatitis are classified under these mum headings: chemi cal agents, mechanical agents, physical agents, plant poisons, and biological agents. Chemical agents are the predominant causes of dermatoses in manufacturing in dustries Table 39-C, therefore, is con cerned only with these agents. The infor mation given includes the action of the list ed chemicals on the skm as either primary irritants or sensitizers. The table is not, of course, exhaustive m any respect, but can provide quick reference data on some of the more common chemical irritants Cutting oils and similar substances are especially important chemical agents because the ml dermatitis which they cause is prob ably of interest to a larger proportion of in dustrial concerns than is any other single type of dermatitis. Mechanical anises of skin irritation in clude friction, pressure, and trauma, which produce cuts, which may become infected with either bactena or fungi, and callosities If the homy layers of the skm become softened by high temperatures and exces sive perspiration, the development of fric tion (for example, between the buttocks) then leads to dermatitis. Other examples of mechanical causes are low atmospheric pressure in high-altitude flying, and abra sions. Physical agents which lead to occupation al dermatitis include heat, cold, water, sunbght. X-rays, ionizing radiation, and elec tricity. Hot water softens the skm so that substances more readily attack it, as typi fied by dermatoses occurring among laun dry workers and Ash washers X-rays and other ionizing radiation may cause derma titis, severe bums, and even cancer. Pro longed exposure to sunlight produces skm changes which may cause dangerous body alterations Frostbite produces chilblains. Plant poisons which can cause dermatitis are produced by several hundred plants. The best known are poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Dermatitis from these three sources may result from bodily contact with any part of the plant, exposure of any part of the body to smoke from the burning plant, or contact with clothing or other ob jects which have previously been exposed to the poison. Biological agents which cause dermatitis may be bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. An thrax from Kauriling hides, tularemia from handling skins, erysipeloid from handling animal products, bolls and folliculitis caused by staphylococci and streptococci, and gen eral infection from occupational wounds are (Text continues on page 39-24.) 39-19