Exploratory study to determine if risk factors for occupational skin disease vary by type of food processing operation

BACKGROUND: Occupational skin disease (OSD) is a common health issue in the food processing sector. However, risk factors for OSD are suspected to differ according to the nature of the operation. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if the risk factors for OSD vary depending on the type of food processing operation, namely meat processing vs. a commercial bakery. METHODS: Participants were asked to answer questions regarding workplace exposures and the current skin condition of their hands. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify differences between the two participating operations. RESULTS: The meat processing workers were more likely to have wet work exposure, used hand sanitizer more often and changed their gloves more frequently. These findings from meat processing represented a statistically significant difference compared to the commercial bakery workers. Also, workers from meat processing reported more severe skin symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for OSD apparently differ between types of food processing operations. Differences in the nature of skin symptoms were also found between the two participating operations. It is therefore suggested that future studies examining OSD within the food processing sector should evaluate this health effect based on the nature of operations rather than the sector as a whole.

Occupational Skin Disease in Physicians: A Review of the Literature

Objectives Occupational skin disease (OSD) arises from work-related activity. However, there is a paucity of literature on OSD in physicians. The aim of the this review was therefore to examine and summarize what types of symptomatic OSD physicians experience. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search on Cochrane Library, Embase, and Pubmed. Results Contact dermatitis from formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were found in 11.5 and 13.5% of cases, respectively. In total 2.4–14.9% had latex allergy. The reported standardized incidence ratio of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma was up to 2.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57–1.95] and 3.2 (95% CI 1.38–6.31). Transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV) particles during carbon dioxide laser wart ablation were found in 70% of samples collected from protective gloves and in 52% of samples from vapors. Conclusions The most frequently reported OSD in physicians is contact dermatitis from allergens in disinfectants and rubber gloves. There is also a risk of cutaneous reactions to latex. The incidence of skin cancer was higher in physicians than in the general population, and the reason for this remains unexplained and potentially biased. There are no reports of transmission of patient HPV to surgeons during wart ablation, possibly because of proper use of protective equipment.