Dermatological symptoms among visual display unit operators using plasma display and cathode ray tube screens

A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of dermatological complaints in 672 full time visual display unit (VDU) operators in Singapore. Two hundred and sixty-nine operators worked with plasma display (PD) screens, while the other 403 used cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. The overall one year period prevalence rate for dermatological complaints was 12%. Thirty-six (13%) PD operators and 46 (11%) CRT operators had skin complaints. The age and sex distribution of persons in the two groups were similar. Twenty-eight (10.4%) PD workers and 24 (6.0%) CRT workers had symptoms of itch, tingling, or the feeling of being stroked by a feather after working with the VDU for some time. Furthermore, 19 (7.1%) PD and 14 (3.5%) CRT workers stated that their skin problems improved during weekends or when they were off duty. The difference between these rates were not statistically significant. Operators with dermatological complaints in the past year were more likely to have a personal history of atopy, complain about their work environment, and have musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulder and low back. The results indicate that the prevalence and nature of dermatological symptoms among operators using either type of VDU monitor are similar.