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Dermal exposure: how to get information.
1Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Dortmund, Germany.
Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Assessing workplace chemical risks requires understanding both inhalation and dermal exposure. A new questionnaire helps evaluate dermal exposure in car mechanics, identifying hands as the most affected body part.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Toxicology
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Workplace risk assessment necessitates data on chemical hazards and worker exposure.
- Both inhalative and dermal exposure routes are critical for comprehensive risk evaluation.
- Qualitative and quantitative data on dermal exposure are often insufficient, hindering accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a questionnaire for assessing dermal exposure in occupational settings.
- To evaluate the factors influencing dermal exposure in German car repair shops.
- To improve the methodology for qualitative dermal exposure surveys in the European RISKOFDERM project.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was designed to capture factors influencing dermal exposure.
- The questionnaire was used by a hygienist alongside air monitoring in German car repair shops.
- The questionnaire was refined for broader application with multiple-choice options and a manual.
Main Results:
- Hands were identified as the primary site of dermal exposure for car mechanics.
- Exposure durations varied from 5-10 minutes for inspections to about 1 hour for repairs.
- Other body parts like the face and forearms were also exposed, and hand hygiene practices were infrequent.
Conclusions:
- The developed questionnaire provides a valuable tool for qualitative assessment of dermal exposure.
- Understanding specific exposure scenarios and hygiene practices is crucial for effective risk management.
- Further development aims to enhance the questionnaire's utility in European occupational health projects.