Occupational dermatoses among workers in a porcelain manufacturing factory

ABSTRACT

The objectives of the present work are to determine the prevalence and risk factors of occurrence of occupational dermatoses among workers in a porcelain manufacturing factory. The study included 235 workers [132 males and 103 females]. After history taking, dermatological examination was performed at the work place. Cases of contact dermatitis [CD] were patch tested using potassium dichromate 0.5%, Cobalt chloride 1% and Nickel sulphate 5% in petrolatum. Results showed that the prevalence of occupational dermatoses [OD] was 26.8% among exposed workers. The highest percentage of OD was found among workers in the decoration department represented 30.2% of all cases. CD was the commonest presentation among the studied group, it represented 27% of all cases of OD. Results of patch testing indicate that out of 17 cases of CD 12 cases [70%] were of the irritant variety and 5 cases [30%] were of the allergic type. The prevalence of OD was found to be affected by age, duration of work, type of exposure and daily bathing after work