[Epidemiology of occupational dermatoses in the Potsdam district (V)]

An epidemiological study focusing on the 1981 to 1985 occupational-dermatosis incidence was carried out, based on the medical-opinion data at the Potsdam County Council Occupational Hygiene Board, and comparisons were made with the results of previous studies. Occupational skin diseases accounted for 46 per cent of all cases and cases of BK 80 (BK stands for occupational disease recognised by GDR law) for 34.7 per cent, which is a 13.6 per cent increase over against the previous study covering the 1976 to 1980 period. A steady increase was found in the percentage of women with an occupational eczema (1981-1985: 66.2 per cent). Of all the eczema cases recognised as occupational diseases, 8.6 per cent had no allergic etiology. Among the various branches of occupation, the health service ranked first for the first time, accounting for 26.1 per cent. With regard to individual occupations too, the medical staff showed the highest incidence (20.8 per cent), followed by bricklayers and concrete workers (8.6 per cent), electroplating workers (6.7 per cent) and milkers (6.4 per cent). The allergens most frequently responsible for the occupational-eczema cases were formaldehyd (24.6 per cent), chromium compounds (15.7 per cent), nickel (15.6 per cent) and rubber ingredients (10.6 per cent). As compared with previous studies, there was an increase in terms of formaldehyde and nickel and a decrease in terms of turpentine oil, chromates and rubber ingredients. While one in five occupational contact eczema patients had to put up with occupational and social drawbacks in the course of their rehabilitation in the past, a substantial improvement has now been achieved by comprehensive organising measures taken by the Potsdam County Council Occupational-Hygiene Board.