ObjectivesArc welding produces the full spectrum of ultraviolet radiation and may be a contributory cause of skin cancer; however, there has been little research into this occupational hazard. The aim of this study is to explore if metal arc welding increases the risk of malignant melanoma and/or basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on skin areas which may possibly be exposed (neck, head, and upper extremities).MethodA Danish national company-based historic cohort of 4333 male metal arc welders was followed from 1987 through 2012 to identify the risk of skin cancer. An external reference group was established including all Danish skilled and unskilled male workers with similar age distribution. Occupational histories were gathered by questionnaires in 1986 and information about skin cancer diagnoses [BCC, SCC, cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), and precancerous conditions, actinic keratosis (AK)] were gathered from the Danish Cancer Registry supplemented by the data from the Danish Pathology Register. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated in the follow-up period from 1987 until 2012 using Cox regression analysis and adjusted for baseline data regarding age and social group.ResultsThe adjusted HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for skin cancer (all types) were 0.99 (CI 0.94–1.04) for welders. The adjusted HR for AK and BCC located only at neck was 2.49 (CI 1.03–5.99) for welders exposed >20 years (n = 5) and 2.46 (CI 1.02–5.94), respectively, for welders exposed >30 years (n = 5). No statistically significant difference was observed for SCC. The risk of CMM at the neck was also significantly elevated after 30 years of welding, but this is based upon only one exposed case.ConclusionThis study indicates that long-term exposure to metal arc welding may be related to increased risk of BCC and AK located exclusively at the neck. The study provides no support for the hypothesis that welding exposure increases the risk for skin cancer at other locations.

Background The comprehensive consequences of atopic dermatitis (AD) include a negative influence on work life. However, data regarding use of social benefits in patients with AD are sparse. Objective To examine the association between AD and use of social benefits, with a specific focus on paid sick leave and disability pension. Methods The study cohort comprises citizens born in the period 1964–1999 with a diagnosis of AD registered in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) and a 20‐fold match control group from the background population. Cross‐linkage of data from 1964 up to 2015 by four national registers (the DNPR; the Central Person Register; the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics; and the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalisation) enabled the comparison of AD patients and controls with respect to social benefits. Prescription of systemic medication served as a proxy for AD severity. Social benefits were analysed as a function of AD status using Cox regression. Results A total of 28 156 AD patients were registered in the DNPR, and the control group comprised 473 836 individuals not registered with AD in the DNPR. AD was found to be associated with increased risk of receiving social benefits, paid sick leave in particular, and most pronounced for younger patients with severe AD (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.25–1.52). The use of disability pension was increased for all groups of AD patients compared to controls and most pronounced for older patients with severe AD [HR 1.67 (95% CI: 1.45–1.93)]. Conclusion Our data emphasize that AD significantly impacts work life negatively for the patients and is a financial burden for the society.

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) has far-reaching consequences in childhood and later in working life, but information on how it affects completion of education is sparse.Objectives To compare the educational achievement of individuals with AD in childhood/adolescence and individuals without a history of AD. Methods The study population included patients diagnosed with AD prior to the age of 16 registered in the Danish National Patient Register (DNPR) born in the period 1977-1993 and a 23-fold matched control group from the background population. Cross-linkage of five different Danish registers from 1977 to 2015 allowed comparison of AD patients with controls regarding completion of education. Results In total, 10 173 individuals were registered with AD in the DNPR, while 234 683 individuals served as control group. Mild/moderate AD was associated with a decreased chance of completing basic compulsory education [hazard ratios (HR): 0.

The risk of cataract in relation to metal arc welding by Slagor RM, La Cour M, Bonde JP It has been postulated that welders have a higher risk of cataract because of the emission of ultraviolet radiation from the welding arc. In this study of 4 288 welders and 512 151 referents, we did not find an elevated risk of cataract diagnosis and/or operation. Data was adjusted for age, diabetes, posterior eye operation and social group. 447Original article Scand J Work Environ Health. 2016;42(5):447-453. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3572 The risk of cataract in relation to metal arc welding Objectives There are indications that solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) increases the risk of cataract, but there is only circumstantial evidence that metal welding, an important occupational source of UVR exposure, is a risk factor. The objective of this study is to unravel if metal welding increases the risk of cataract.Method We compared the risk of being diagnosed with cataract from 1987-2012 in a historic cohort of 4288 male metal arc welders against a reference group comprised of Danish skilled and unskilled male workers with similar age distribution. For the welders' cohort, information on welding was collected from questionnaires and, for both cohorts, information about cataract diagnosis and operation was gathered from Danish national registers. Using Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) for cataract diagnosis and/or operation was calculated in the follow-up period adjusted for baseline data regarding age, diabetes, and social group.Results There were 266 welders and 29 007 referents with a diagnosis and/or operation for cataract. The unadjusted HR for cataract comparing ever-welders with referents was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.95-1.21] and the adjusted HR was 1.08 (95% CI 0.95-1.22). Age and diabetes were as expected strong risk factors. ConclusionWe found no increased risk of developing cataract among Danish metal welders who worked with arc welding from 1950-1985. This may be attributed to the effectiveness of personal safety equipment.