Contact dermatitis is an unrecognized problem in the construction industry: Comparison of four different assessment methods

Contact Dermatitis in Construction Workers in Northeastern Italian Patch Test Database Between 1996 and 2016

BACKGROUND

Contact dermatitis in construction workers (CWs) is frequent due to the widespread exposure to sensitizing substances and irritating agents and the wet and cold working conditions.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to evaluate contact dermatitis characteristics among CWs who underwent patch test in northeastern Italy and to identify related allergens.

METHODS

Seven hundred ninety-five CWs were studied and their data were compared to 2.099 male white-collar workers. The associations between patch test results and occupations were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Incidence data were calculated from 1996 to 2016.

RESULTS

CWs with confirmed occupational dermatitis presented an increased risk to be sensitized to potassium dichromate [OR 3.1 (95%IC 2.0-4.8)], to thiurams [OR 8 .6 (95%IC 4.0-18.4)], and to epoxy resins [OR 12.7 (95%IC 6.1-26.4)]. Sensitization to chromate decreased significantly after 2004, following EU regulation of chromate content in concrete, while sensitization to epoxy resins and thiurams increased. The overall incidence of occupational contact dermatitis in CWs decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of EU regulations in reducing chromate sensitization in CWs and the overall incidence of occupational contact dermatitis. However, sensitization to other haptens is increasing, though improvement of protective measures is compulsory.