Skin Rashes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Rashes, including details on dermatitis, itches, creams, medication, treatment.

Contact allergy in male construction workers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2000-2005.

Macedo MS, de Avelar Alchorne AO, Costa EB, Montesano FT

Department of Dermatology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), Brazil. marziamacedo@uol.com.br

There are no recent data on allergens in the construction industry in Brazil; apparently there were no changes in allergenic substances. The objective of this study was to identify sensitization to allergens in adult males working in the construction industry. A cross-sectional study with adult males submitted to patch tests from May 2000 to December 2005. Out of 169 male patients, 83 were construction workers. The five most frequent allergens among the construction workers were potassium dichromate (57%), carba-mix (34.9%), cobalt chloride (30.2%), thiuram-mix (27.9%) and neomycin (19.8%). There is a significant sensitization to potassium dichromate, cobalt, carba-mix, and thiuram-mix, demonstrating that cement and rubber gloves of personal protection equipment still account for allergic contact dermatitis in construction industry workers.

Published 8 March 2007 in Contact Dermatitis, 56(4): 232-4.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Rashes Research Today. All Rights Reserved.