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

BACKGROUND: A high contact dermatitis symptoms prevalence has been observed in Dutch construction workers. METHODS: Contact dermatitis was diagnosed by an expert panel using questionnaire data and photographs of 751 subjects' hands. A subset was evaluated by two occupational physicians. Their diagnoses were compared to those of the expert panel. In addition, two self-reported questionnaire-based assessment methods were compared to the expert panel evaluation. Associations between contact dermatitis and determinants were assessed using log-binomial regression analysis. RESULTS: Contact dermatitis prevalence was high: 61.4% (expert panel's diagnosis) and 32.9% (self-reported). Agreement between occupational physicians and the expert panel was low but increased after training. Washing hands with solvents and performing job-related tasks at home were related to contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Contact dermatitis prevalence among construction workers is high. Recognition of contact dermatitis by occupational physicians is poor but can be improved by training. Awareness of skin disorders should be raised.

Determinants of epoxy allergy in the construction industry: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Workers exposed to epoxy products are at risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To compare workers throughout the German construction industry with and without skin allergy to epoxy resins, hardeners, and/or reactive diluents, and to investigate which determinants are related to the development of epoxy allergy. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by 179 epoxy allergy cases, and 151 epoxy workers as controls. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the use of backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis. A multiple imputation approach was used to deal with missing data. RESULTS: Epoxy allergy was associated with an unusually high level of exposure to epoxy products [OR 2.13 (95%CI: 1.01-4.51)], wearing short sleeves or short trousers [OR 2.38 (95%CI: 1.03-5.52)], and not always using the correct type of gloves [OR 2.12 (95%CI: 1.12-4.01)]. A monotonic increasing risk was found with increasing exposure hours per week [OR 1.72 (95%CI: 1.39-2.14)]. Not using skin cream was inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.22 (95%CI: 0.08-0.59)]. Years working with epoxy products were inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.41 (95%CI: 0.27-0.61) per 10-year increase], suggesting a healthy worker survivor effect. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational epoxy allergy may be prevented by improving occupational hygiene behaviour and personal protection.

Validation of a questionnaire on hand hygiene in the construction industry.

INTRODUCTION: Construction workers are at risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis. Gloves, when used properly, may protect against chemicals and coarse materials. We investigated the prevalence and determinants of contact dermatitis in a population of Dutch construction workers and aimed at validating questionnaire items on hand hygiene. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 construction sites, yielding data of 177 subjects (95% response rate). A questionnaire covering questions on hand hygiene and contact dermatitis symptoms was used. Agreement between workplace observations and a number of questionnaire items was assessed by calculating Cohen's kappa. Log-binomial regression analysis was used to assess the association between contact dermatitis and various hand hygiene-related determinants. RESULTS: The 1-year prevalence of self-reported contact dermatitis in our study sample was 46.9%. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive association with difficulties with hand cleaning (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.52), hand contamination at the end of the working day (PR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.14-4.65), and intensive hand cream use (PR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.42-3.01). Observations of hand contamination, glove use, and glove types were found to agree well with the self-reported data from the questionnaire (Cohen's kappa's 0.75, 0.97, and 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported contact dermatitis prevalence in construction workers was high and related to hand hygiene. A strong agreement was found between workplace observations and self-reported questionnaire data.

Skin symptoms in the construction industry: occurrence and determinants.

BACKGROUND: In the construction industry, a relatively high hand eczema prevalence can be expected due to exposure to irritating and allergenic agents. METHODS: As part of a regular program of voluntary medical examinations, a questionnaire including items on health symptoms and working circumstances is administered to construction industry personnel. We studied 152,200 male workers (response rate 52%). Associations between possible risk factors and self-reported skin symptoms and skin hypersensitivity were assessed using log-binomial regression analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of skin symptoms on the hands was 25.4% among construction workers, 14.6% among office personnel. Nuisance due to dust exposure was the most important work-related determinant for skin symptoms [Prevalence Ratio (PR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55-1.63]. Cross-sectional findings were supported by longitudinal analyses in a study population subset. CONCLUSIONS: Skin symptoms are common among construction workers. Nuisance due to dust exposure was associated with higher prevalences of skin symptoms.

Amphetamine reduces vesicular dopamine content in dexamethasone-differentiated PC12 cells only following L-DOPA exposure.

Amphetamine (AMPH) increases brain dopamine (DA) levels via reversal of the membrane DA transporter. Additional mechanisms have been suggested, including inhibition of vesicular monoamine transporters and vesicular leakage of DA and Ca(2+). According to the widely-accepted weak base theory, AMPH disrupts the proton gradient required for filling vesicles with DA. As a result, DA and Ca(2+) will leak from vesicles, giving rise to exocytosis of less-filled vesicles. As several contradictions have been described, the aim of the present study was to re-examine this theory using amperometry and Fura-2 imaging to measure AMPH-induced changes in exocytosis and intracellular Ca(2+) levels, respectively, in PC12 and chromaffin cells. Unexpectedly, 15 min exposure to AMPH (20-200 microM) does not affect the amount of DA released per vesicle, the frequency of exocytosis or intracellular Ca(2+) levels in PC12 cells or chromaffin cells. Comparable results were found following prolonged exposure to AMPH (45 min) or at 37 degrees C. When cells were pre-treated with the DA precursor L-DOPA, vesicle content increased to approximately 150%. When these pre-treated cells are exposed to AMPH, vesicle content is strongly reduced. These results indicate that in dexamethasone-differentiated PC12 cells AMPH-induced vesicle leakage occurs only under specific conditions, therefore arguing for re-evaluation of the theory of AMPH-induced vesicular DA leakage.