Combined exposure to carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid simultaneously increases the risk of hand dermatitis in rayon industry.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between hand dermatitis (HD) and occupational exposure to CS(2) and to determine whether combined exposure to CS(2) and H(2)SO(4) exhibits a higher risk of HD.


METHODS
In all, 110 subjects from a rayon factory were recruited and their exposure was classified into CS(2) exclusively, H(2)SO(4) exclusively, combined exposure, and nonexposure control based on workers' job characteristics. A dermatologist was designated in the diagnosis of HD on palm and dorsal sites for each subject. Other confounding factors including detergent, glove wearing, and participation in wet work were determined using a person-to-person questionnaire interview from 37 randomly selected subjects.


RESULTS
Significant elevated odds ratios (ORs) for HD were found in CS(2) exclusively (44.8, P < 0.01) and combined exposure (49.0, P < 0.001) compared with control. Dose-response trends of ORs for HD were found across control, single exposure, and combined exposure for both CS(2) and H(2)SO(4).


CONCLUSIONS
HD could occur resulting from occupational exposure to CS(2) alone. This study was unable to affirm that the exposure to H(2)SO(4) alone is associated with HD due to limited H(2)SO(4) exposure subjects. The combined exposure to both CS(2) and H(2)SO(4) simultaneously could increase the risk of HD. The control remedy in preventing dermal contact with either CS(2) or H(2)SO(4) among the rayon workers should be performed immediately.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road., Tainan 70428, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tzu-Chieh
TC
Chou
Hamm-Min
HM
Sheu
Jing-Er
JE
Chiu
Jyun-De
JD
Wu
Tung-Sheng
TS
Shih
Ho-Yuan
HY
Chang
D000328:Adult; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002482:Cellulose; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*
D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; C033158:sulfuric acid; D002246:Carbon Disulfide