Dermatitis in the mining industry: incidence, sources, and time loss

Occupational skin diseases and disorders are the most commonly reported nontrauma-related category of occupational illness in the United States, and mining has one of the highest incidence rates among all industries. The authors' objective in this study was to describe mining industry dermatitis incidence, sources of exposure, and resultant time lost from work. The authors reviewed Mine Accident, Injury and Illness Reports. From 1983 to 2002, the Mine Safety and Health Administration reported 975 cases of dermatitis in mines across the United States and its territories. Average annual incidence was 14.4 cases per 100 000 employees. Upper extremities and multiple body regions were most commonly involved. Twenty-five percent of miners with dermatitis lost at least 1 day of work. Exposure to plants, trees, and vegetation accounted for 24% of all cases. A greater understanding of this condition will assist health professionals in focusing on appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the occurrence of dermatitis and its associated morbidity in mine workers.