[Six cases of occupational skin diseases caused by cement: considerations from the aspect of occupational dermatology]

Occupational skin problems in construction workers

Background

Construction workers handle cement which has constituents to produce both irritant contact dermatitis and corrosive effects (from alkaline ingredients, such as lime) and sensitization, leading to allergic contact dermatitis (from ingredients, such as chromium).

Aim:

The present study has been carried out among unorganized construction workers to find the prevalence of skin problems.

Materials and Methods:

The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 92 construction workers of Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Results and Discussion:

All the workers were subjected to clinical examination after collection of information regarding demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics and clinical history on a predesigned proforma. Of them, 47.8% had morbid skin conditions. Frictional callosities in palm were observed in 18 (19.6%) subjects while 4 (4.3%) subjects had contact dermatitis. Other conditions included dry, fissured and scaly skin, infectious skin lesion, tinea cruris, lesion and ulcers on hands and/or soles.

Conclusion

The skin conditions were common in the age group of 20–25 years, males, those having ≥1 year exposure and those working for longer hours. Half of the workers not using personal protective equipment had reported skin-related symptoms.

Cement-related injuries: review of a series, the National Burn Repository, and the prevailing literature

The spectrum of cement-related injuries encompasses contact dermatitis, abrasions, ulcerations, chemical burns, and burns from explosions during the manufacturing process. The purpose of this study was to compile cement-related conditions seen in two burn units (1999-2005), literature case reports and series (1950-2006) and the (1989-2001) National Burn Repository (NBR). There were 3597 admissions in two Midwestern burn units, of which 12 cases (0.8%) were cement burns. They occurred in men, aged 15 to 64 years with a burn range of 0.25 to 10% TBSA, exposure time of 1 to 6 hours, treatment delay of 1 day to 2 weeks, hospitalization (2-14 days). Literature review of 109 cases indicated that cement-related injuries were predominantly seen in men, aged 26 to 45 years; with a cement-exposure time of 1.5 to 4 hours, treatment delay (1 day to 5 weeks), hospitalization (10-33 days), and healing time (2-7 weeks). There were 52,219 burn admissions in the NBR, of which 44 (0.08%) were cement-related burns; 95% were men with a mean age of 41 years, 6% TBSA cement burn and an 8-day hospital stay. The demographic characteristics of the burn units and NBR cases were similar to those in the literature. This preventable injury occurred primarily in the working age male patient and was associated with long healing times. Public awareness and enhanced manufacturer package warnings and education may decrease future cement-related injuries.