Metalworking exposures and persistent skin symptoms in the ECRHS II and SAPALDIA 2 cohorts.
BACKGROUND
Diseases of the skin are important and often preventable conditions occurring among workers with dermal exposures to irritant and sensitizing agents.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted this analysis to assess the associations between metalworking exposures and current and persistent skin symptoms among male and female participants in two population-based epidemiologic studies.


METHODS
We pooled data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) and the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Disease in Adults 2 (SAPALDIA 2), two prospective cohort studies in Europe. Each participant completed interviewer-administered questionnaires to provide information about symptoms and exposures related to selected occupations, including metalworking, during the follow-up periods. We assessed associations between skin symptoms and the frequency of metalworking exposures among 676 ECRHS II/SAPALDIA 2 respondents.


RESULTS
Current skin symptoms were reported by 10% of metalworkers and were associated with frequent use, defined as four or more days per week, of oil-based metalworking fluids [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-2.49)] and organic solvent/degreasing agents (PR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.21-3.50).


CONCLUSIONS
Skin symptom prevalence is associated with increasing frequency of oil-based metalworking fluid and degreasing agent use. Our findings justify assessing strategies for reducing the frequency of metal-related exposures.
Mirabelli
Maria C
MC
Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, Spain. mmirabelli@creal.cat
Zock
Jan-Paul
JP
Bircher
Andreas J
AJ
Jarvis
Debbie
D
Keidel
Dirk
D
Kromhout
Hans
H
Norbäck
Dan
D
Olivieri
Mario
M
Plana
Estel
E
Radon
Katja
K
Schindler
Christian
C
Schmid-Grendelmeier
Peter
P
Torén
Kjell
K
Villani
Simona
S
Kogevinas
Manolis
M
D000328:Adult; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000633:toxicity; D008669:Metallurgy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012997:Solvents