Clustered outbreak of skin and eye complaints among catering staff

Abstract

In August 2002, kitchen staff at a hotel in Central Scotland experienced skin and eye problems believed to be related to their working environment. Of a total of 20 staff, eight cooks reported problems with a painful red skin affecting the face, eyelids, side and front of neck as well as burning, gritty eyes. Five of the affected individuals were clinically assessed in April 2003. The overall clinical impression was of conjunctivitis and sunburn-like erythema. Examination of the data sheets of all cleaning agents and sprays used within the kitchen pointed against an environmental phototoxin. The kitchen area was inspected and two electric fly killers positioned on the ceiling and sidewalls were found to be incorrectly fitted with UVC tubes. The output of these tubes was spectroradiometrically assessed. The recommended unprotected skin and eye exposure limit was reached in 14 s at a distance of 30 cm from the tubes. An exposure of about 60 s would be sufficient to induce minimal erythema in someone of skin type I/II. These results demonstrate the importance of exposure to ultraviolet radiation as a possible cause of facial erythema and conjunctivitis, no matter how unlikely this may seem. It is recommended that there should be increased awareness of the need to fit the correct type of lamps to electric fly killers and other devices that incorporate UV lamps.

Self-Reported, Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Among Restaurant Workers in Shiraz City, South of Iran

“…Hair loss and itchy, dry, and cracking skin were reported as the most common symptoms. In a study by Gleeson et al, the prevalence rate of skin disorders in Irish restaurants was 15% [37], and according to Oliver et al, the prevalence rate of skin diseases in UK catering staff was reported to be 24% [36]. In our study, the prevalence of skin diseases was significantly associated with washing and cleaning works.…”

“…In a study conducted by Oliver et al in UK catering staff, about 40 percent of the cooks reported eye discomfort, which is higher than this study. This difference is probably because of the use of incorrect type of lamps to electric fly killers and other devices that incorporate UV lamps which are not extensively used in the studied restaurants [36].…”

Extreme Exposure to Filtered Far‐UVC: A Case Study†

“…UVC irradiation is a well‐established technology used for the destruction of bacteria and viruses and employed in a range of industries ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ). The established UVC wavelength routinely used for germicidal tasks is the mercury emission wavelength of 253.7 nm, which has been shown to inactivate SARS‐CoV‐2 but also results in acute adverse reactions in the skin and eyes ( 7 , 8 ).…”

Es necesario rotular con más claridad los tubos emisores de luz ultravioleta C para la prevención de lesiones en la piel y los ojos

“…Pensamos, en resumen, que existe el riesgo de confundir diferentes tipos de tubos, tanto por parte de los distribuidores como de los usuarios finales, como ha ocurrido en esta ocasión y también antes 3 . Es posible que otros brotes hayan pasado desapercibidos.…”

“…Estos problemas conducen a contraseñas con múltiples vulnerabilidades: débiles, comunes o evidentes. Sin embargo, se ha prestado escasa atención a la necesidad de formación de los trabajadores en prácticas de seguridad adecuadas 3 .…”