Replacing effective spectral radiance by temperature in occupational exposure limits to protect against retinal thermal injury from light and near IR radiation.

Exposure to visible light and near infrared (NIR) radiation in the wavelength region of 380 to 1400 nm may cause thermal retinal injury. In this analysis, the effective spectral radiance of a hot source is replaced by its temperature in the exposure limit values in the region of 380-1400 nm. This article describes the development and implementation of a computer code to predict those temperatures, corresponding to the exposure limits proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Viewing duration and apparent diameter of the source were inputs for the computer code. At the first stage, an infinite series was created for calculation of spectral radiance by integration with Planck's law. At the second stage for calculation of effective spectral radiance, the initial terms of this infinite series were selected and integration was performed by multiplying these terms by a weighting factor R(λ) in the wavelength region 380-1400 nm. At the third stage, using a computer code, the source temperature that can emit the same effective spectral radiance was found. As a result, based only on measuring the source temperature and accounting for the exposure time and the apparent diameter of the source, it is possible to decide whether the exposure to visible and NIR in any 8-hr workday is permissible. The substitution of source temperature for effective spectral radiance provides a convenient way to evaluate exposure to visible light and NIR.

Quantification of wet-work exposure in nurses using a newly developed wet-work exposure monitor.

Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is an important work-related disease. A major cause of OCD is 'wet work': frequent contact of the skin with water, soap, detergents, or occlusive gloves. The German guidance TRGS 401 recommends that the duration of wet work (including use of occlusive gloves) should not exceed 2 h day(-1) and also the frequency of hand washing or hand disinfection should be taken into account. This highlights the need for a reliable method to assess duration and frequency of wet work. Recently, a wet-work sampler has been developed by the University of Aberdeen. The sampler uses the temperature difference (ΔT) generated by evaporative cooling between two sensors: one sensor on the skin and a second one placed 2 mm above the skin. We have evaluated the use of this sampler in a healthcare setting, using direct observation as reference. Twenty-six nurses wore the sampler on the volar side of the middle finger for ∼2 h during their regular daily tasks, while being observed by a researcher. Sampler results were evaluated using various threshold values for ΔT to identify wet events of the hands. The optimal ΔT to discern wet and dry skin differed considerably between individual nurses. Individual results yielded a median sensitivity of 78 and 62% and a median specificity of 79 and 68% for indicating wet skin and glove use, respectively. Overall, the sampler was moderately accurate for identifying wetness of the skin and less accurate for discerning glove use. In conclusion, agreement between observed wet work and device-reported wet events in healthcare settings was not high and further adaptations and developments may be required.

Wet-work Exposure: A Main Risk Factor for Occupational Hand Dermatitis.

Wet-work can be defined as activities where workers have to immerse their hands in liquids for >2 hours per shift, or wear waterproof (occlusive) gloves for a corresponding amount of time, or wash their hands >20 times per shift. This review considers the recent literature on wet-work exposure, and examines wet-work as a main risk factor for developing irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of wet-work exposure among specific occupational groups who extensively deal with water and other liquids in their occupations. Furthermore, it highlights the extent and importance of the subsequent adverse health effects caused by exposure to wet-work.