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Related Experiment Videos

Contact dermatitis in funeral service workers.

J R Nethercott1, D L Holness

  • 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.

Contact Dermatitis
|May 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Funeral service workers showed higher rates of skin disease. Glutaraldehyde exposure, though less frequent, indicated a greater risk for skin sensitization compared to formaldehyde in this occupational group.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational dermatology
  • Toxicology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Funeral service workers are exposed to chemicals like formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
  • Skin diseases are a concern in occupational settings.
  • Atopy history does not appear to influence disease presentation or sensitization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of skin disease among funeral service workers.
  • To assess the relationship between chemical exposure (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde) and skin conditions.
  • To compare sensitization risks between formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 84 funeral service workers and 38 controls.
  • Assessment included medical history, clinical examination, and patch testing.
  • Tested allergens were formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.

Main Results:

  • Cutaneous disease was most frequent in apprentices, followed by active and inactive embalmers.
  • Positive patch tests for formaldehyde were observed in 4% and for glutaraldehyde in 7% of exposed workers.
  • No controls showed positive reactions; glutaraldehyde showed a higher sensitization prevalence despite lower exposure frequency.

Conclusions:

  • Glutaraldehyde may pose a greater practical risk of cutaneous sensitization in funeral service workers than formaldehyde.
  • Occupational skin disease is prevalent in the funeral service trade.
  • Further investigation into glutaraldehyde's role in occupational dermatitis is warranted.

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