title: Occupational risk factors for hand dermatitis among professional cleaners in Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatitis is an important health outcome for workers whose jobs put them in contact with irritants or sensitizing agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted an analysis of data from the Epidemiological Study on the Risk of Asthma in Cleaning Workers 2 (EPIASLI2) to assess worksites and cleaning products as risk factors for hand dermatitis among professional cleaning workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We distributed 4993 questionnaires to employees of 37 cleaning companies, and used data from 818 (16%) respondents who provided information about skin symptoms and cleaning-related exposures. We assessed associations between the frequencies of worksite and cleaning product exposures and a symptom-based definition of hand dermatitis among current cleaning workers (n = 693) and a comparison population (n = 125).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hand dermatitis was reported by 28% of current cleaning workers, versus 18% of the comparison population, and was associated with cleaning outdoor areas and schools, and the use of hydrochloric acid [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-3.02] and dust mop products (PR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11-2.75).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Professional cleaning workers may not be sufficiently protected from cutaneous disease at work. Future research should further investigate the roles of multiple product exposures and personal protective equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. mmirabel@wakehealth.edu
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mirabelli
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vizcaya
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martí Margarit
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antó
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arjona
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barreiro
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orriols
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gimenez-Arnau
authors.forename: Jan-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D007509:Irritants / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D007509:Irritants; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid