ABSTRACT
Refinery workers are exposed to many metals; including cobalt and nickel; both of which are skin sensitisers; causing allergic contact dermatitis. Dermal exposure; and changes in skin barrier function [skin hydration; transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface pH] from start to end of shift; of base metal refi nery workers co-exposed to cobalt and nickel; were assessed. Changes in SH were inconsistent; while TEWL generally increased and SS-pH decreased. The decrease in SS-pH is most likely due to direct skin contact with sulphuric acid. Dermal exposure was variable even though workers wore personal protective gloves; highlighting the limitations of personal protective clothing in controlling exposure. None of the workers presented with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The small sample size of this study limits the interpretation of the absence of ACD; but the healthy worker effect and ethnic differences in skin structure and function may be contributing factors
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure , Leakage , SkinABSTRACT
Although a total of 174 and 117 substances have been listed with a skin (Sk) notation in the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Substances and Regulation 22.9 of the Mine Health and Safety Act respectively; dermal sampling is not used frequently to assess exposure to these substances. A variety of measurement methods and strategies have been developed during the past forty years to assess dermal exposure. These methods include interception methods (also referred to as surrogate skin methods); removal of contaminant (substance) methods and in situ detection methods (also referred to as fluorescent tracer methods). The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the different dermal sampling methods. Furthermore; the applicability of each method for sampling different hazardous chemical substances will be highlighted in order to assist Occupational Hygienists in choosing the correct dermal sampling method