Allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers detected in a clinic that did not specialize in occupational dermatitis / Dermatite alérgica de contato entre pedreiros, num serviço não especializado em dermatoses ocupacionais

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.

FUNDAMENTOS: A dermatite de contato é uma das dermatoses comumente relacionadas ao trabalho. Entre os pedreiros o cimento pode causar tanto a Dermatite Alérgica de Contato quanto a Dermatite de Contato por Irritação Primária. Os equipamentos de proteção individual (luvas de borracha) podem favorecer o desenvolvimento de Dermatite Alérgica de Contato. OBJETIVOS: 1) avaliar a freqüência de Dermatite Alérgica de Contato entre os pedreiros entre Janeiro de 2005 e Dezembro de 2009; 2) determinar os principais agentes sensibilizantes; e 3) comparar os resultados obtidos entre o grupo de pedreiros com um grupo sem pedreiros. MÉTODOS: análise retrospectiva de testes de contato. Pacientes foram separados em 2 grupos: 1) pedreiros e 2) não pedreiros. RESULTADOS: dentre os 525 testes de contato analisados, 466 (90%) eram de não pedreiros e 53 (10%) de pedreiros. As mãos foram acometidas em 38 (61%). 13 pacientes (24%) tinham Dermatite de Contato por Irritação Primária e 40 (76%) tinham Dermatite Alérgica de Contato. O grupo de pedreiros apresentou alta freqüência de sensibilização ao cimento, e 29 (54,7%) tinham sensibilização a agentes vulcanizadores da borracha. 23 pacientes (43,4%) pedreiros tinham sensibilização tanto ao cimento quanto à borracha. CONCLUSÕES: entre os pedreiros a presença de Dermatite Alérgica de Contato ao cimento e à borracha no mesmo paciente foi comum e demonstrou a importância do teste de contato.

Work-related respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests in northeast iranian (the city of Mashhad) carpenters

OBJECTIVE: To assess the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of carpenters from the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran). METHODS: The frequency of respiratory symptoms was retrospectively estimated in a sample of 66 carpenters in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory symptoms in the past year, allergy, type of irritant chemicals that induce respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and working periods as a carpenter. PFT values were also measured in all participants, and the age and smoking habits matched those of a sample of men from the general population as a control group. RESULTS: Thirty-five carpenters (53 percent) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Cough (34.4 percent) and sputum (33.3 percent) were the most common symptoms, and only 15.15 percent of carpenters reported wheezing during work. All respiratory symptoms were higher in carpenters than in controls, which was statistically significant for cough and sputum (p<0.001 in both cases). Most allergic symptoms were also significantly greater among the carpenters than in the control group (p<0.05 for both itchy eyes and sneezing). Most respiratory and allergic symptoms in the carpenters increased during work compared to rest period which was statistically significant only for cough (p<0.05). PFT values were significantly lower in the carpenters than in control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carpentry work was associated with a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, particularly after exposure to irritating chemicals during work. PFT values were also significantly reduced among carpenters compared to controls.

Health hazards of cement dust

ven in the 21st century, millions of people are working daily in a dusty environment. They are exposed to different types of health hazards such as fume, gases and dust, which are risk factors in developing occupational disease. Cement industry is involved in the development of structure of this advanced and modern world but generates dust during its production. Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon. Other studies have shown that cement dust may enter into the systemic circulation and thereby reach the essentially all the organs of body and affects the different tissues including heart, liver, spleen, bone, muscles and hairs and ultimately affecting their micro-structure and physiological performance. Most of the studies have been previously attempted to evaluate the effects of cement dust exposure on the basis of spirometry or radiology, or both. However, collective effort describing the general effects of cement dust on different organ and systems in humans or animals, or both has not been published. Therefore, the aim of this review is to gather the potential toxic effects of cement dust and to minimize the health risks in cement mill workers by providing them with information regarding the hazards of cement dust