An assessment of dermal exposure to semi-synthetic metal working fluids by different methods to group workers for an epidemiological study on dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Assessment of exposure assessment to metal working fluids (MWF) has almost exclusively focused on inhalation exposure. Aims: To assess levels of, and factors affecting, dermal and inhalation exposure to semi-synthetic MWF, and to identify suitable dermal exposure grouping schemes among metal workers for an epidemiological survey on dermatitis of hands, forearms, and head. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four metal working machining departments of a truck manufacturing plant, estimating dermal and inhalation exposure levels to semi-synthetic metal working fluids (SMWF) in machine operators. Dermal exposure levels to SMWF were estimated by three different methods for dermal exposure assessment (VITAE, surrogate skin pad method, and a semi-quantitative dermal exposure assessment method (DREAM)). Results: The identified factors affecting dermal exposure were similar for the three methods, although differences were found for estimated variability in dermal exposure levels between groups, within groups (among workers), and from day to day. With the VITAE method differences in exposure levels were detected between workers that were not detected with the surrogate skin pad method, and only partly with the DREAM method. Conclusions: Considering the additional effort and costs that use of the VITAE method entailed, the observational semi-quantitative DREAM method appeared to be more efficient for grouping of dermal exposure levels for the epidemiological study on dermatitis.

Accuracy of a semiquantitative method for Dermal Exposure Assessment (DREAM)

“…The DREAM model possibly could be improved for this specific situation by including process specific determinants such as open or closed metal working procedures, number of work parts handled by the worker in combination with the use of compressed air to clean metal parts. 17 Actually, we showed elsewhere that the identified factors affecting dermal exposure were quite similar for the general DREAM method and quantitative measurement methods (VITAE, surrogate skin pads). 17 With regard to OS, for skin exposures, paint spraying tasks as well as two other tasks (unmasking truck parts, mixing) were evaluated, showing good correlations between DREAM estimates and measurements.…”

“…Details of the methodology of five out of the six surveys have been published elsewhere. [17][18][19][20][21] Dermal exposure was assessed to metal working fluids (MWF) (survey 1, manufacturing of motor blocks), organic solvents (OS) (survey 2, spray painting), cyclophosphamide (CP) (survey 3, handling of antineoplastic drugs in hospitals), di-ethyl-glycol-butyl-ether (DEGBE) (survey 4, chemical industry), benzene (BZ) (survey 5, petrochemical industry), and toluene (TL) (survey 6, shoe manufacturing) for workers performing different tasks. Measurements were performed during the time a worker performed a specific task (surveys 2, 3, and 4) or during (part of) a shift (surveys 1, 2, 5, and 6).…”

“…16 Also, we successfully applied DREAM for grouping of dermal exposure levels to metal working fluids (MWF) among machine operators for an epidemiological study on dermatitis. 17 The aim of the present study was to explore the accuracy of the DREAM method by comparing its estimates with quantitative dermal exposure measurements in several occupational settings.…”

Toxicological analysis of ambient monitoring in metal industry

“…Prisutne hemijske štetnosti u radnoj sredini se odražavaju i na zdravstveno stanje profesionalno eksponirane populacije metaloprerađivačke industrije [1], gde se najčešće, osim povreda, dijagnostikuju hronična oboljenja organa za disanje [2], oboljenja koštano-mišićnog sistema, oštećenje sluha, hronična kardiovaskularna oboljenja, hronično trovanje hemijskim materijama koje se koriste u proizvodnji, toplotni stres, oštećenje kože [3]. Kontaktni dermatitis je najzastupljeniji kod eksponiranih u metalopreradjivačkoj industriji, dok su respiratorni problemi manje izraženi i posledica su korišćenja nekoliko spe cifičnih hemikalija, indentifikovanih kao respiratorni alergeni.…”

Tools for regulatory assessment of occupational exposure: development and challenges

“…A comparison between estimates of the inhalation model and exposure measurements show reasonably good correlations across a broad range of workplace scenarios , and the model is considered to be useful for (retrospective) exposure assessment in epidemiological studies (Semple et al, 2001). Similarly, comparisons of the dermal model (i.e., dermal exposure assessment methodology (DREAM)) with exposure measurements are re-assuring (van Wendel de Joode et al, 2005b) and DREAM appears to be a promising tool for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies as well (van Wendel de Joode et al, 2005a). Given these validation results and their transparent enclosure of all relevant exposure processes, these models may be considered a solid basis for producing 'prior' estimates in the advanced approach.…”