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Occupational Medicine 1993;43:32-34
© 1993 Society of Occupational Medicine

research-article

Irritant contact dermatitis in warehouse employees

J. Ashworth, R. J. G. Rycroft, R. S. Waddy and D. Irvine

St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital London, UK
British Airways plc, Heathrow Airport London, UK

A detailed survey of skin complaints amongst 114 airline employees working in a new warehouse revealed 26 cases of skin problems which originated during the 21/2 year operation. A clinical survey of broadly the same population confirmed 14 cases from 98 employees as chronic irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The work involved the reception, unpackaging, inspection, repackaging and dispatch of aircraft parts. The source of the skin irritation was not to be found in the work itself. Rather, the presence among the employees of two severe cases of non-occupational eczema, combined with the idea that incoming aircraft parts from foreign countries might be ‘dirty’ in some way, had caused a heightened perception of a risk of skin disease, and the frequency of hand washing had increased as a result. Over-frequent hand washing in a few employees had resulted in precisely what the warehouse staff had been trying to avoid.

Correspondence and reprint requests to: D. Irvine, British Airways plc, Heathrow Airport, London, UK


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