The dermal toxicity of cement

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Dermatology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Cement and concrete are ubiquitous in construction, often underestimated as hazardous materials.
• Occupational skin conditions, particularly contact dermatitis, are prevalent among construction workers handling these products.
• A misconception exists that cement-related hazards are minor and limited to a small worker subset.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on the dermatological hazards associated with cement and concrete exposure.
• To highlight the chemical constituents in cement responsible for adverse skin reactions.
• To emphasize the need for treating cement and concrete as hazardous materials in occupational settings.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific studies on cement constituents and their effects on skin.
• Analysis of reported cases of contact dermatitis in construction workers.
• Examination of the chemical properties of cement ingredients like lime and chromium.

Main Results:

• Cement contains alkaline ingredients (e.g., lime) causing irritant contact dermatitis and corrosive effects.
• Chromium in cement can lead to sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis.
• Reduced chromium content in cement has decreased allergic dermatitis incidence, but irritant dermatitis persists.

Conclusions:

• Cement and concrete should be recognized and handled as hazardous materials due to their potential to cause significant skin damage.
• Workers must minimize exposure to cement and concrete to prevent occupational skin diseases.
• While allergic contact dermatitis can be mitigated by reducing chromium, irritant contact dermatitis remains a concern.