Occupationally relevant positive patch test reactions in Indonesian batik workers

Abstract

Batik is a traditional east-Asian textile printing technique. Artisans are increasingly exposed to synthetic dyes because they are easier and quicker to use than natural (plant-based) dyes. METHODSWe examined 222 workers employed by 16 small enterprises in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Of these workers, nine were suspected of having occupation-related allergic contact dermatitis. All nine workers were patch tested with the European baseline series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Vellinge, Sweden), a textile series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics), and the following additional allergens relevant to the batik industry: paraffin (molecular weight ranges 250-400 Da), 1 brown indigosol, soga, and indanthrene in the concentrations and vehicles indicated in Table 1. The patches were covered with Hypafix tape; Vivomed, Northern Ireland, UK and occluded for 48 hours. The results were read at day (D) 3 and D4, T A B L E 1 Patch test results among nine subjects suspected of having occupation-related allergic contact dermatitisMaterials to which workers were exposed Allergen Concentration tested (% pet.) Positive patch test a CAS no.

Implementation of education to batik workers about contact dermatitis in Tanjung Bumi, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia

“…A cross-sectional study found that 7 out of 48 batik workers showed positive patch tests for naphthol (Malte et al, 2020). Another study also found 1 positive patch test for natural brown soga and 1 positive patch test for indigosol (Febriana et al, 2020) Other factors that influence contact dermatitis are the duration of exposure, wet/dry cycles, cold seasons with low humidity, rubbing/stretching of the skin, and individual factors such as the history of atopic dermatitis and genetics (Agner & Menne, 2001;Kang et al, 2019). A longer duration of exposure to harmful substances induces more risk of developing skin problems.…”

The Gloves as Effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of Indonesian Batik Workers

“…16 In other studies reported that appropriate PPE use is highly recommended due to batik workers might be exposed any substances and materials. 17 There are many factors can be a protective gloves include gloves material, the additive used in manufacturing, the manufacturing process, and the thickness and homogeneity of the material. 14 Choosing suitable gloves for chemicals or solvent is very important, that there are some chemicals for which no gloves can provide protection for long periods time.…”

Risk factors of occupational skin diseases among traditional batik manufacturing workers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…The traditional batik manufacturing process consists of 4 working steps: (1) fabric preparation; (2) wax application; (3) coloring/dyeing; (4) wax removal [5]. The process involves a range of chemicals along with some repetitive physical movements, making batik production inseparable from physical and chemical hazards which increase the risk of developing occupational skin diseases (OSD).…”