Occupational hand dermatitis in car repair workers.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to used gasoline engine oils during oil change and other automobile repair services is common for many mechanics, electrical technicians, and other car service workers. We aimed to determine the prevalence of hand dermatitis in car repair workers with different specialty and actual dermal exposure hazards in the workplace. METHODS: We examined the dermal problems in 153 male car repair workers and compared it to 140 office workers. Exposed and control groups were administered a Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire. Dermal exposure score also was calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of hand dermatitis in car repair workers (19.0%) was significantly higher than office worker (7.9%) [OR: 2.74, (95% CI = 1.31, 5.73)] and also higher than general population. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis was significantly higher in exposed group that had hand dermatitis compared with those who had no hand dermatitis (P < 0.001). The highest hand dermatitis as well as actual dermal exposure was observed in the mechanics and transmission technician respectively. CONCLUSION: Car repair workers have an elevated prevalence of hand dermatitis in comparison with office workers. The most important risk factors for hand dermatitis among car repair workers are atopic dermatitis and the next the level of skin exposure to potential skin hazards.

Occupational cancer risk perception in Iranian workers.

This cross-sectional study examined the occupational cancer risk perception among 269 Iranian industrial workers according to their knowledge, job titles hazard, and demographical properties. The structured questionnaire was used to measure participants' knowledge and perception toward occupational cancers (reliability of the perception questions = .72). There was significant difference in both knowledge and perception about occupational cancers in different age and educational groups. It was significant relation between knowledge and perception (p = .001). True answer to some questions was less than 20%. An optimistic bias was found in participants' perception. These findings prove that cancer risk perception in industrial workforces is affected by several factors. Further efforts should be placed in the training of workers to enhance their knowledge and subsequently their perception toward occupational cancers.