Wet-work Exposure: A Main Risk Factor for Occupational Hand Dermatitis

Wet-work can be defined as activities where workers have to immerse their hands in liquids for >2 hours per shift, or wear waterproof (occlusive) gloves for a corresponding amount of time, or wash their hands >20 times per shift. This review considers the recent literature on wet-work exposure, and examines wet-work as a main risk factor for developing irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of wet-work exposure among specific occupational groups who extensively deal with water and other liquids in their occupations. Furthermore, it highlights the extent and importance of the subsequent adverse health effects caused by exposure to wet-work.

dermal exposure assessment

Hazardous chemicals may enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, injection or dermal absorption. These exposure routes constitute the overall exposure burden on the body. Most occupational exposure studies have focused on measurement of the concentration of airborne contaminants and other possible routes of exposure are often overlooked. Several studies have already highlighted the importance of dermal absorption. However, less development occurred in the assessment of dermal exposures to occupational and environmental contaminants compared to air sampling techniques. This paper intends to highlight the importance of dermal exposure and looks at the methods currently used for its assessment. Advantages and disadvantages of each method in the context of occupational dermal exposure assessment are also outlined. Dermal exposure models, as an easy-to-use and low-cost tool to predict dermal uptake, especially when few or no actual data are available, are also included in this review