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Occupational allergic contact dermatitis in Singapore
1Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (MD3), National University of Singapore, Singapore. cofkohd@nus.edu.sg
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 1, 2001
Summary
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is more prevalent in Singapore than official statistics suggest. Population studies reveal higher rates in industries like construction and electronics, with common allergens including metals and chemicals.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Official statistics in Singapore indicate low rates of occupational dermatitis, with noise-induced hearing loss being the predominant occupational disease.
- Industrial dermatitis accounts for a small fraction of notified occupational diseases, and occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is even less common in reported figures.
- Under-notification of occupational dermatoses is suspected, potentially masking the true prevalence of conditions like ACD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the actual prevalence of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in Singapore.
- To identify common occupational contact allergens and affected industries.
- To highlight the discrepancy between reported and actual prevalence of occupational ACD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of notified occupational disease cases from 1996-1998.
- Review of case series from a tertiary dermatological center for electronics and metalworkers.
- Inclusion of population-based prevalence studies in electronics and construction industries.
Main Results:
- Notified cases show noise-induced hearing loss (82%) and industrial dermatitis (11%), with ACD comprising about one-third of dermatitis cases.
- Case series revealed higher ACD prevalence: 41% in electronics workers (nickel, resins, rubber chemicals) and 23% in metalworkers (metals, cutting fluids).
- Population studies indicated varying prevalence: 2% ACD in electronics workers (nickel, colophony, epoxy resin) and 14% occupational dermatitis in construction workers (chromates, rubber chemicals).
Conclusions:
- Occupational ACD in Singapore is likely under-reported and more prevalent than official statistics suggest.
- Prevalence of occupational ACD varies significantly across different industries, notably construction and electronics.
- Key allergens include chromates, nickel, rubber chemicals, cutting fluids, and resins, affecting workers in manufacturing, construction, and electronics.