Alergia de Contacto a Metais num Período de 20 Anos no Centro de Portugal: Implicações das Directivas Europeias

Introduction: Metals are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis. After the introduction of the EU Nickel Directive (1994/27/CE; 2004/96/EC) and, more recently, the Cement Directive (2003/53/EC) there has been a significant decrease in sensitization to metals mainly in the Nordic countries. The applicability of these directives and their impact in the Portuguese population is unknown. Material and Methods: A retrospective study (1992-2011) was carried out in our patch test clinic to assess the temporal trend of metal sensitization (nickel [Ni], cobalt [Co] and chromium [Cr]) along the last 20 years, particularly considering age, sex and its relation with occupational activity. Results: Out of 5 250 consecutively patch-tested patients, 1 626 (31%) were reactive to at least one metal (26.5% to Ni; 10.0% to Co and 7.9% to Cr). Women had a higher prevalence of sensitization to Ni (34.4% vs 8.9%) whereas men were more reactive to Cr (11.5% vs 5.0%). Nickel sensitization did not decrease significantly over the years, although in recent years among women sensitized to nickel the percentage of younger patients (16-30 years-old) is significantly lower (p < 0.001). Chromium sensitization significantly decreased, particularly in men (r = -0.535), and mainly in the construction workers (r = -0.639). Chromium reactivity associated with the shoe dermatitis has remained stable. Discussion: We emphasize the higher and stable percentage of nickel sensitized individuals suggesting, so far, a low impact from the EU Ni directive, although a decreasing percentage in the the younger group among Ni sensitized women may suggest a beneficial effect is becoming evident is this age group. On the contrary, the impact of the directive regarding the modification of Cr in cement seems to be effective. There is now a need to regulate chromium content in leather products, namely in shoes. Conclusions: The regulation of interventional measures related either to the manufacture and trade of adornments or professional use will better protect the population of allergy to metals. Keywords: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Chromium; Cobalt; European Union; Metals; Nickel; Patch Tests; Portugal.

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Occupational Chromium Allergy and Contact Dermatitis: 10 Years Evolution

Revista da Sociedade Portuguesa de Dermatologia e Venereologia ◽

10.29021/spdv.79.3.1356 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 221-226

Author(s):

Alexandre Afonso ◽

Joana Silva ◽

Ricardo Silva ◽

Vânia Pacheco ◽

Vítor Pinheiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Potassium Dichromate ◽

Allergic Sensitization ◽

Occupational Activity ◽

Patch Tests ◽

Hand Dermatitis ◽

Occupational Contact Dermatitis ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Allergic Contact ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Chromium has been responsible for occupational skin disease, both irritant and/or allergic contact dermatitis. In order to minimize this problem, regulatory measures limiting its use have been implemented. The impact of these regulations should be monitored over time. Material and Methods: A retrospective study from 2009 to 2018 was carried out in the Department of Dermatology to assess the temporal trend of chromium sensitization evaluated by patch testing with potassium dichromate 0.5% pet, particularly considering age, sex and its relationship with occupational activity. Results: 3277 individuals were studied, 2369 females (72.29%) and 908 males (27.71%). Of those 621 (18.95%) fulfilled criteria for occupational contact dermatitis. Chromium allergy was found in 118 (3.60%) patients, 64 females (54.4%) and 54 males (45.76%). We found that male patients were significantly more frequent (45.76% vs 27.03%; p<0.001), as well as occupational dermatitis (31.35% vs 18.47%; p<0.001), hand dermatitis (53.54% vs 23.52%; p<0.001) and age above 40 years (70.34% vs 56.76%; p=0.003). Discussion/Conclusion: The results show a high prevalence (3.60%) of chromium positive patch tests. In our study, there has not been a significant decrease in sensitization to chromium over the years. Interestingly cases classically related to this allergy (cement in the building industry) are no longer the main cause of the problem. We found other sources such as leather as a main cause of allergic sensitization, suggesting a change of the panorama.

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Allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers detected in a clinic that did not specialize in occupational dermatitis

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ◽

10.1590/s0365-05962012000400008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 567-571 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rosana Lazzarini ◽

Ida Alzira Gomes Duarte ◽

Juliana Mayumi Sumita ◽

Rogério Minnicelli

Keyword(s):

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽

High Frequency ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Occupational Dermatitis ◽

Patch Tests ◽

Work Related ◽

Primary Contact ◽

The Common ◽

Allergic Contact

BACKGROUND: Contact dermatitis is one of the common work-related dermatoses. Among bricklayers, cement can cause both allergic contact dermatitis and primary contact irritative dermatitis. The personal protective equipment (rubber gloves) may favor the development of allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: 1) to evaluate the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers between January 2005 and December 2009; 2) to determine the major sensitizing agents in the study group; and 3) to compare the data obtained from the construction workers to that of a group of patients who were not construction workers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patch tests. Patients were separated into two groups: 1) bricklayers and 2) non-bricklayers. RESULTS: Of the 525 patch tests analyzed, 466 (90%) were from non-bricklayers and 53 (10%) from bricklayers. The hands were affected in 38 (61%) of them. 13 patients (24%) had irritative contact dermatitis and 40 (76%) had allergic contact dermatitis. The group of construction workers had a high frequency of sensitization to cement, and 29 (54.7%) had sensitization to rubber vulcanizing agents. 23 patients (43.4%) had sensitization to both cement and rubber. CONCLUSIONS: Among the bricklayers the presence of allergic contact dermatitis to rubber and cement in the same patient is common and demonstrates the importance of the patch test.

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Impact of Allergic Contact Dermatitis on the Quality of Life and Work Productivity

Dermatology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2019/3797536 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

H. Kalboussi ◽

I. Kacem ◽

H. Aroui ◽

O. El Maalel ◽

M. Maoua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Daily Activity ◽

Productivity Loss ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Occupational Activity ◽

Activity Impairment ◽

Allergic Contact ◽

The Impact

Background. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common chronic skin disease that generates considerable public-health and socioeconomic costs. This disease affects the quality of life and the occupational activity of patients. Aims. To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with ACD and study the impact of this disease on their work productivity. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2012 to December 2014. All patients diagnosed with ACD in the Dermato-Allergology Unit of the Occupational Medicine Department at Farhat Hached University Hospital, in Sousse, were included. The impact of skin disease on the QOL of affected persons was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The work productivity was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Allergic Specific questionnaire (WPAI: AS). Results. The study population consisted of 150 patients. The average score of DLQI was 6.5. Over the previous 7 days, absenteeism rate was 25.9 ± 15.3%, presenteeism rate was 50.2 ± 32%, overall work productivity loss was 29.6 ± 19.4%, and daily activity impairment was 50.4 ± 32.3%. The DLQI score was significantly associated with atopy (p = 0.03), relapses strictly greater than 10 (p = 0.02), presenteeism (p <10−3), overall work productivity loss (p = 0.01), and daily activity impairment (p = 0.03). Conclusion. The impact of ACD on QOL and occupational activity seems important and requires specific attention from the occupational physician.

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The dermal toxicity of cement

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1191/0748233702th159oa ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 321-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Chris Winder ◽

Martin Carmody

Keyword(s):

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Chromium Content ◽

Hazardous Materials ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Irritant Contact Dermatitis ◽

Construction Sector ◽

Dermal Toxicity ◽

Reported Health ◽

Cement And Concrete ◽

Allergic Contact

Cement and concrete are products used widely in the construction sector, with a traditional perception that any hazards that they have are limited to dermatitis in a small number of workers. In some cases, employers and builders do not think that concrete is a chemical. However, contact dermatitis is one of the most frequently reported health problems among construction workers. A review of the available literature suggests that cement has constituents that produce both irritant contact dermatitis and corrosive effects (from alkaline ingredients such as lime) and sensitization, leading to allergic contact dermatitis (from ingredients such as chromium). These findings indicate that cement and concrete should be treated as hazardous materials, and that workers handling such products should reduce exposure wherever possible. Initiatives to reduce the chromium content of cement have been shown to be successful in reducing the incidence of allergic dermatitis, although the irritant form remains.

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Russia - European Union: The continuation ofthe sanctions standoff

Voprosy Ekonomiki ◽

10.32609/0042-8736-2017-6-114-127 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 114-127

Author(s):

M. Klinova ◽

E. Sidorova

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Economic Recession ◽

Economic Sanctions ◽

Current Data ◽

The State ◽

The European Union ◽

The Impact ◽

The Eu ◽

Year 2013

The article deals with economic sanctions and their impact on the state and prospects of the neighboring partner economies - the European Union (EU) and Russia. It provides comparisons of current data with that of the year 2013 (before sanctions) to demonstrate the impact of sanctions on both sides. Despite the fact that Russia remains the EU’s key partner, it came out of the first three partners of the EU. The current economic recession is caused by different reasons, not only by sanctions. Both the EU and Russia have internal problems, which the sanctions confrontation only exacerbates. The article emphasizes the need for a speedy restoration of cooperation.

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Modernisation of Higher Education – Willful Action or Wishful Thinking? The Case of Bulgaria

Педагогически форум ◽

10.15547/pf.2020.018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 3-17

Author(s):

Elena Blagoeva

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Economic Crisis ◽

Negative Impact ◽

National Level ◽

Sustainable Growth ◽

Research Approach ◽

Case Study Methodology ◽

The Impact ◽

The Eu

The impact of the last global economic crisis (2008) on the European economy put a strain on higher education (HE), yet it also pushed the sector towards intensive reforms and improvements. This paper focuses on the “Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Bulgaria 2014-2020”. With a case study methodology, we explore the strategic endeavours of the Bulgarian government to comply with the European directions and to secure sustainable growth for the HE sector. Our research question is ‘How capable is the Bulgarian HE Strategy to overcome the economic and systemic restraints of Bulgarian higher education?’. Because the development of strategies for HE within the EU is highly contextual, a single qualitative case study was chosen as the research approach. HE institutions are not ivory towers, but subjects to a variety of external and internal forces. Within the EU, this is obviated by the fact that Universities obtain their funds from institutions such as governments, students and their families, donors, as well as EU-level programmes. Therefore, to explore how these pressures interact to affect strategic action on national level, the case method is well suited as it enabled us to study the phenomena thoroughly and deeply. The paper suggests the actions proposed within the Strategy have the potential to overcome the delay, the regional isolation and the negative impact of the economic crisis on the country. Nevertheless, the key elements on which the success or failure of this Strategy hinges are the control mechanisms and the approach to implementation. Shortcomings in these two aspects of strategic actions in HE seem to mark the difference between gaining long-term benefits and merely saving face in front of international institutions.

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Impact Of Modernization Among College Students In Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh

History Research Journal ◽

10.26643/hrj.v5i4.7066 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 21-26

Author(s):

Purvi Nishad ◽

Anjali Mathur ◽

Anshu ◽

Nisha Chacko

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Age Group ◽

Adolescent Boys ◽

The Impact

The present study was to assess the impact of modernization among the college students across gender, socio cultural settings and socio economic groups among adolescent boys and girls in the age group of 17 to 21 year.

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Thematic Priorities For Sustainable Development of Ukraine-Romania Cross-Border Cooperation (The Case Study of Chernivtsi Region)

Історико-політичні проблеми сучасного світу ◽

10.31861/mhpi2020.41.205-219 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 205-219

Author(s):

Valentyna Bohatyrets ◽

Liubov Melnychuk ◽

Yaroslav Zoriy

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Cultural Development ◽

Cross Border ◽

Strategic Orientations ◽

The Impact ◽

Further Development ◽

Cross Border Cooperation ◽

The Eu

This paper seeks to investigate sustainable cross-border cooperation (CBC) as a distinctive model of interstate collaboration, embedded in the neighboring borderland regions of two or more countries. The focus of the research revolves around the establishment and further development of geostrategic, economic, cultural and scientific capacity of the Ukrainian-Romanian partnership as a fundamental construct in ensuring and strengthening the stability, security and cooperation in Europe. This research highlights Ukraine’s aspirations to establish, develop and diversify bilateral good-neighborly relations with Romania both regionally and internationally. The main objective is to elucidate Ukraine-Romania cross-border cooperation initiatives, inasmuch Ukraine-Romania CBC has been stirring up considerable interest in terms of its inexhaustible historical, cultural and spiritual ties. Furthermore, the similarity of the neighboring states’ strategic orientations grounds the basis for development and enhancement of Ukraine-Romania cooperation. The authors used desk research and quantitative research to conclude that Ukraine-Romania CBC has the impact not only on the EU and on Ukraine multi-vector foreign policy, but it also has the longer-term global consequences. In the light of the current reality, the idea of introducing and reinforcing the importance of Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) sounds quite topical and relevant. This research considers a number of explanations for Ukraine-Romania Cross-Border Cooperation as a key element of the EU policy towards its neighbors. Besides, the subject of the research is considered from different perspectives in order to show the diversity and complexity of the Ukraine-Romania relations in view of the fact that sharing common borders we are presumed to find common solutions. As the research has demonstrated, the Ukraine-Romania cross border cooperation is a pivotal factor of boosting geostrategic, economic, political and cultural development for each participant country, largely depending on the neighboring countries’ cohesion and convergence. Significantly, there is an even stronger emphasis on the fact that while sharing the same borders, the countries share common interests and aspirations for economic thriving, cultural exchange, diplomatic ties and security, guaranteed by a legal framework. The findings of this study have a number of important implications for further development and enhancement of Ukraine-Romania cooperation. Accordingly, the research shows how imperative are the benefits of Romania as a strategic partner for outlining top priorities of Ukraine’s foreign policy.

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