Addition of ferrous sulfate to cement and risk of chromium dermatitis among construction workers

Abstract

Lowering the water-soluble chromium content of cement to < 2 ppm has been suggested to diminish the risk of allergic hand dermatitis caused by chromium among construction workers. The prevalence of chromium dermatitis was determined for a representative sample of 913 house construction workers and 707 concrete element prefabrication workers, with a questionnaire and clinical examination, before the use of cement with such a low content of water-soluble chromium was started on Finnish construction sites in 1987. The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis caused by water-soluble chromium, diagnoses confirmed with patch tests among the workers with hand dermatitis, was 9/117 (7.7%). 4 of them were new 4/105 (4%) and 5 had been diagnosed earlier. In 1987, the prevalence of work-related hand dermatitis (allergic and irritant together) was 6.8% among the construction workers and 8.9% among the concrete element prefabrication workers. The Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases was checked for reports of chromium dermatitis and other forms of hand dermatitis from 1978 to 1992. The results indicated that, after 1987, the occurrence of allergic contact dermatitis caused by chromium decreased to less than 1/3 the previous level, whereas the occurrence of irritant contact dermatitis remained stable throughout the observation period. Regardless of some potential confounders, the addition of ferrous sulfate to cement during the production process may have reduced the number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis among construction and concrete element prefabrication workers. Our results agree with the results of Danish studies and Swedish observations.

Dermatite de contato por metais: prevalência de sensibilização ao níquel, cobalto e cromo

“…Several studies have shown absence of cross-reactions to nickel, chromium and cobalt. 8,12,13 Sensitization to cobalt occurs mainly through the presence of this metal in materials that also contain chromium and nickel, which explains why sensitization to cobalt is more common in association with other metals, as in the present study.…”

Occupational skin and respiratory diseases among hairdressers

“…Even though some of the new cases would have emerged later, the result shows a marked underdiagnosis of occupational skin and respiratory diseases for hairdressers. A similar trend has been noted also with other occupations; for example, Roto et a1 concluded that only one-third of the cases of occupational hand dermatitis among construction workers are reported to the register of occupational diseases in Finland (24). In Finland many hairdressers are self-employed persons for whom insurance for occupational diseases is voluntary, and therefore they may tend not to attend occupational medical examinations.…”

Occupational demands and health effects for bricklayers and construction supervisors: A systematic review

“…3 and 4). For example, environmental demands for bricklayers also include skin contact with cement [van der Molen, 2004;Arbouw, 2009b] and contact with chemical substances, which is related to the risk of contact dermatitis and irritation of the skin [Roto et al, 1996]. Other potential environmental risks for bricklayers are: prolonged standing [Arbouw, 2009b] and working in the cold, heat, wind, or rain [van der Molen, 2004;Arbouw, 2009b].…”