Allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers detected in a clinic that did not specialize in occupational dermatitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Contact dermatitis is one of the common work-related dermatoses. Among bricklayers, cement can cause both allergic contact dermatitis and primary contact irritative dermatitis. The personal protective equipment (rubber gloves) may favor the development of allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: 1) to evaluate the frequency of allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers between January 2005 and December 2009; 2) to determine the major sensitizing agents in the study group; and 3) to compare the data obtained from the construction workers to that of a group of patients who were not construction workers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patch tests. Patients were separated into two groups: 1) bricklayers and 2) non-bricklayers. RESULTS: Of the 525 patch tests analyzed, 466 (90%) were from non-bricklayers and 53 (10%) from bricklayers. The hands were affected in 38 (61%) of them. 13 patients (24%) had irritative contact dermatitis and 40 (76%) had allergic contact dermatitis. The group of construction workers had a high frequency of sensitization to cement, and 29 (54.7%) had sensitization to rubber vulcanizing agents. 23 patients (43.4%) had sensitization to both cement and rubber. CONCLUSIONS: Among the bricklayers the presence of allergic contact dermatitis to rubber and cement in the same patient is common and demonstrates the importance of the patch test.

Occupational Dermatoses by Type of Work in Greece

“…Lazzarini et al [42] also found a high incidence of allergic contact dermatitis among construction workers who had a high frequency of sensitization to cement, in Brazil.…”

Epidemiological analysis of occupational dermatitis notified in Brazil in the period 2007 to 2012

“…3 Lazzarini et al (2012) conducted a study with 525 subjects, of which 53 were masons, confirming through the epicutaneous test the prevalence of ACD in 76% and of ICD in 24% of this population. 7 Other authors, in a study conducted in Europe, found as main agents detergents allergens, solvents and oils, and the most affected workers were in sectors of the metal industry, followed by workers in construction and transport sectors. The economic sector with the highest number of cases is the manufactured sector (10.4%), followed by the construction sector (9.1%).…”

“…The presence of hexavalent chromium in the wet cement (the most widely used in civil construction in Brazil) is an abrasive and alkaline agent that may predispose to ACD. 3,7 The use of rubber gloves on wet or previously damaged skin can also promote the development of ACD. 3 Lazzarini et al (2012) conducted a study with 525 subjects, of which 53 were masons, confirming through the epicutaneous test the prevalence of ACD in 76% and of ICD in 24% of this population.…”

Principais Causas de Dermatite de Contacto Alérgica Ocupacional: Um Estudo de Três Anos no Centro de Portugal

“…[13][14][15][16][17][18] A MI, presente em cremes de proteção ou produtos de higiene profissional ou pessoal, tem sido responsável por uma epidemia de casos de DCA em Portugal e a nível europeu, e foi também um fator agravante em várias outras profissões neste estudo (enfermeiras, esteticistas, educadoras de infância e cozinheiros) e que se traduziu por uma frequência significativamente superior de reação à MI no grupo de pacientes com DCA profissional (Tabela 2). 6,7 Ainda que em número inferior a estudos nacionais e internacionais realizados em décadas anteriores, 19,20,21 salientamos o caso de cinco trabalhadores da construção civil ainda sensibilizados ao crómio do cimento. Atualmente as luvas (pelos aditivos da borracha ou sais de crómio do couro) são as principais causas de DCA nesta profissão, 20,21 já que a alergia ao crómio do cimento tem vindo a reduzir de forma rápida desde a implementação das diretivas europeias de 2003 que recomendam a adição de sulfato ferroso ao cimento e consequente diminuição do crómio trivalente mais sensibilizante.…”

“…Atualmente as luvas (pelos aditivos da borracha ou sais de crómio do couro) são as principais causas de DCA nesta profissão, 20,21 já que a alergia ao crómio do cimento tem vindo a reduzir de forma rápida desde a implementação das diretivas europeias de 2003 que recomendam a adição de sulfato ferroso ao cimento e consequente diminuição do crómio trivalente mais sensibilizante. [20][21][22][23] Contudo, a redução do crómio no material de proteção em couro (sapatos e luvas) não está ainda implementada a nível europeu.…”