Occupational skin diseases are among the most frequent work‐related diseases in industrialized countries. Good occupational skin disease statistics exist in few countries. Questionnaire studies are needed to get more data on the epidemiology of occupational skin diseases. The Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire Group has developed a new questionnaire tool – Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ‐2002) – for surveys on work‐related skin disease and exposures to environmental factors. The 2 NOSQ‐2002 questionnaires have been compiled by using existing questionnaires and experience. NOSQ‐2002/SHORT is a ready‐to‐use 4‐page questionnaire for screening and monitoring occupational skin diseases, e.g. in a population or workplace. All the questions in the short questionnaire (NOSQ‐2002/SHORT) are included in the long version, NOSQ‐2002/LONG, which contains a pool of questions to be chosen according to research needs and tailored to specific populations. The NOSQ‐2002 report includes, in addition to the questionnaires, a comprehensive manual for researchers on planning and conducting a questionnaire survey on hand eczema and relevant exposures. NOSQ‐2002 questionnaires have been compiled in English and translated into Danish, Swedish, Finnish and Icelandic. The use of NOSQ‐2002 will benefit research on occupational skin diseases by providing more standardized data, which can be compared between studies and countries.

On behalf of the European Society of Contact DermatitisPatch testing is the predominant method of establishing contact allergy. The present patch test technique is the result of a continuous process of development and improvement since its first application in the late 19th century. The perfect patch test should give no false-positive and no false-negative reactions. The ideal patch test should also cause as few adverse reactions as possible, particularly no patch test sensitization. Even though the history and examination of a patient with suspected allergic contact dermatitis will give clues to possible sensitizers, it is not sufficient to patch test only with initially suspected sensitizers; unsuspected sensitizers used for patch testing frequently turn out to be the real cause of the dermatitis. Fortunately, a small number of substances are considered to account for the majority of delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Therefore, generally 20-25 test preparations consisting of chemically defined compounds, mixes of allergens, and natural and synthetic compounds, are grouped into a standard test series. The requirements to be fulfilled by a sensitizer in a standard patch test series are discussed in this article. A procedure of investigations is proposed before a sensitizer is included in a standard series.

No abstract

The regulations relating to cosmetic products give no limit values for toxic elements such as metals or arsenic occurring as impurities in cosmetic products. The present study of metals (lead, cobalt, nickel, chromium) and arsenic in eye shadows in 88 colors of 25 brands and 49 products provides a basis for assessing the safety of eye shadow. 66 out of 88 (75%) of the colors contained more than 5 ppm of at least one of the elements, and all 49 products contained more than one 1 ppm of at least 1 of the elements. In one color, the amount of all elements was less than 1 ppm. The highest levels of cobalt and nickel were 41 and 49 ppm, respectively. These levels were high enough to cause allergic symptoms in those previously sensitized. Furthermore, long-term exposure to such levels may probably sensitize. The concentrations of arsenic were extremely low, 2.3 ppm at most. The level of lead was less than 20 ppm in all products. Accordingly, the concentrations of arsenic and lead seemed to be safe. 9 colors had concentrations of water-soluble chromium exceeding 2 ppm, and a very high level, 318 ppm, was encountered in 1 case. The overall results indicate that eye-shadows probably have no significant systemic toxicological effects. The groups at greatest risk are those already sensitized to the allergenic elements. Such consumers will have difficulties in choosing suitable products, since these elements in the form of impurities are not declared in the list of ingredients. Manufacturers should demand certification that the raw materials they buy contain no toxic elements. Although some of the products studied were acceptable, many had excessive levels of the elements from the consumer's viewpoint.

No abstract