Chromate Allergy: Chromate Content of Asian Cement

Goh, Chee Leok; Kwok, S. F.

doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.1986.tb02962.x

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…This is slightly higher than in previous reports (10,11,15,16). Chromate contents of Asian cement are higher than the levels considered necessary to cause skin sensitization (17). Although lowering the watersoluble chromium content of cement by adding ferrous sulfate has been done in many European countries and shown to diminish the risk of allergic hand dermatitis caused by chromium among construction workers (18,19), no such regulation has been enforced in Taiwan.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Dermatoses in cement workers in southern Taiwan

et al. 1999

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Construction workers are known to have occupational dermatoses. The prevalence of such dermatoses was unknown in Taiwanese construction workers. The objective of this study was to determine the work exposure, prevalence of skin manifestations, and sensitivity to common contact allergens in cement workers of southern Taiwan. A total of 1147 current regular cement workers were telephone-interviewed about skin problems during the past 12 months, work exposure, and personal protection. Among those interviewed, 166 were examined and patch tested with common contact allergens. A high % of cement workers reported skin problems in the past 12 months. More men (13.9%) reported skin problems possibly related to work than women (5.4%). Prevalence was associated with lower use of gloves, duration of work as cement worker, and more time in jobs involving direct manual handling of cement, especially tiling. A high % of dermatitis was noted in the 166 workers examined, which correlated with reported skin problems. On patch testing, construction workers had a high frequency of sensitivity to chromate. Sensitivity to chromate or cobalt was associated with reported skin problems, or dorsal hand dermatitis on examination. These workers' dermatitis was under-diagnosed and inadequately managed. It is concluded that cement workers in southern Taiwan had a high prevalence of skin problems related to cement use. Protective measures, work practice, and physician education should be improved to prevent or manage such problems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Dermatoses in cement workers in southern Taiwan

et al. 1999

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“…This is due to the presence of water-soluble hexavalent chromate in cement. The hexavalent chromate content of Singapore cement ranged from 5.6 to 25.1 J-lgfgm (8 The prevalence of occupational dermatoses appeared to be higher than in other countries, e.g., the rate in construction workers in Sweden was 8.2% (88/1071), with 5.9% being dermatitis (9); the rate in Norway was 5.6% (21/ 366) (10), and in Groningen it was 7.8% (133/ 1691) (II). 40.5% (15/37) of our workers with occupational dermatitis were allergic to chromate in cement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational dermatitis in a prefabrication construction factory

1986

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In a field study of occupational dermatoses in a prefabrication construction factory, 272 workers were interviewed, examined and patch tested to chromate, cobalt, nickel, rubber mixes, epoxy resin, melamine formaldehyde and conplasts. The prevalence of occupational dermatitis was 14% (38/272); 57% (22/38) were irritant dermatitis from cement; 39.5% (15/38) were allergic contact dermatitis from cement (2 with concomitant rubber glove allergy); and 2.5% (1/38) were allergic to rubber chemicals in gloves. The overall prevalence of chromate sensitivity was 8.5% (23/272), with the highest rate from the concreting bays of the factory. The rate was unrelated to the duration of workers' engagement in construction work. 34.8% (8/23) had asymptomatic chromate allergy. The prevalence of cobalt reactions was 17.4% (4/23) and all were associated with chromate allergy.

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Change in cement manufacturing process, a cause for decline in chromate allergy?

Goh

Gan²

1996

Contact Dermatitis

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Hexavalent chromate in cement is the commonest cause of allergic contact dermatitis, especially among construction workers. Over the past decades, there has been a general decline in the prevalence of chromate allergy among construction workers. We suspect that a change in the constituents of cement, resulting in the lowering of hexavalent chromate, contributed to the decline. Slag (free from hexavalent chromate) from the iron-quenched, blast furnace process has been used as a substitute for clinker (which contains high hexavalent chromate) in manufacturing cement. As a result, the slag has diluted the hexavalent chromate content of cement. Our analytical study showed that slag is free from hexavalent chromate and that the hexavalent chromate of clinker ranged from 6-17 micrograms/g. Substituting slag for clinker resulted in dilution of hexavalent chromate in the cement. The hexavalent chromate content of cement declines proportionately with increasing proportion of slag, e.g., a cement containing 5% slag has a total hexavalent chromate concentration of 17.5 micrograms/g, whereas increasing the proportion of slag to 60% reduced the hexavalent chromate content to 7.1 micrograms/gm in the same cement.

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Chromate Allergy: Chromate Content of Asian Cement

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Dermatoses in cement workers in southern Taiwan

Dermatoses in cement workers in southern Taiwan

Occupational dermatitis in a prefabrication construction factory

Change in cement manufacturing process, a cause for decline in chromate allergy?

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