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troubles. Workers might be expected to look after their skin, they do not, but
when something goes wrong with it, there is no greater cause of lowered morale.
In modern industry, apart from the familiar causes of skin troubles, every
day brings new dangers. The risk of dermatitis has moved ito practically every
area of industrial operaions and today resins, coolants, solvents, and chemicals
present a growing challenge to the people who try to control costly skin ailments.
The simplest definition of occupational dermatitioes its any inflammation of the
skin due to exposure to an irritant at work.
When reviewing the hazards to wich the skin is exposed it is important to
consider how the skin structure can be affected by working materials, by failure
to keep it clean, and by the use of dangerous substances such as solvents,
industrial detergents, abrasives, etc. to clean it after work. For clarity the
complex structure of the human skin may be simplified ito three main layers.
a) The epidermis or router protective layer, naturally waterproof, consists of
layers of dead horny cells wich are constantly shen and replaced from
generating layer below. Natural human waxy fat secreations-sebum and
keratin-constantly emerge in a clean healthy skin to provide the natural,
and fitnest protecton against outside attack.
b) The Dermis, immediately beneath the epidermis consists of dense fibrous
tissue, housing blood vessels, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, nerve
endings, and sweet glands. Its uppermost surface is deeply corrugated
and fits into the underside of the epidermis rather like stubby fingers into
a glove.
c) The Hyoerdermis wich is really the lower part of the main dermis, is a
mass of fat cells and vascular tissue.
The skin is largest single organ of the body and, far from being a mere
covering for our flesh and bones, is a living part of us. In addition to
protection against outside irritants and bacteria it regulates our temperature
by its reaction to heat or cold; the pores dilate when we are hot, allowing
perspiration to come to the surface and evaporate to cool us; when it is cold
they close to retain body heat. Perspiration also helps to rid the body of waste
matter and, since the normal person produces approximately 1 of
perspiration per day (in high temperatures the rate can be as high as 1 1 per
day) this function of the skin is important. On the palms of the hands and the
soles of the feet there are as any as 460 pores/cm2 againts 60/cm2 on the
legs or back.
The skin also breathes, taking in oxygen and discharging carbon dioxide in
the same way as the respiratory system, but at much slower. It is only during
this century, although there are clinical data on the skin going back as far as
Ramazzini (1633-1714), that the vital role of the skin in assimilation by the
body of fats and proteins has been revealed.
Here then is a complex and very important part of human anatomy,
exposed daily to the hazards of work in modern industry through sickness,
and study of an authoritative work in modern industry through sickness, and
study of an Tulipan, nad Brimingham, published by Lea and Febiger,
Philadelphia, U.S.A) shows the risk, trough greater with some materials than
others, extends throughout industry.
Medical evidence reveals various fctors wich may affect the incindence of
skin troubles.
1. It is tought that blonde persons are particularly sensitive
2. Hairy skins seem to be more susceptible to oil acne but thick, oily
skins withstand solvents better than others.
3. Women appear to be more sensitive than than men, but they tend
to look after themselves better.
4. Persons with a history of skin trouble, or knowwn or suspected
allergies, may be easily affected.
5. The summer produces more cases of dermatitis, possibly because
the skin is perspiring and open, but in winter in the risk may appear
higher because of drying and chapping of the skin
6. The increasing use of modern chemicals in the home may have a
decided bearing on the incidence of skin troubles.
7. General health is important, and diet is more important in winter
8. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, personal hygiene.
The causes of occupational skin troubles usually fall within this list:
1. Mechanical damage due to injury, friction or pressure;
2. Natural plants, wood, micro-organisms (e.g,primula obconica, teak, and
fungi);
3. Heat, cold, exesscive sunlight (causing photosensitization) especially in
industries where flitering materials are deposited on the skin (e.g.,pitch
and tar); irradiation also comes into this category;
will do most to eliminate skin cases from any industry. Once this has been done
the lot of the Safety and Medical officer will bw happier one since there is no
more difficult case to resolve than one of dermatitis.