Occupational Dermatitis among the Metal Working Fluid Factory Workers in Bengaluru - A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Dermatology
• Industrial Hygiene

Background:

• Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are essential in machining but pose risks of occupational dermatitis (O.D.).
• O.D. is a prevalent skin inflammation affecting metal workers, characterized by dryness, itching, and redness.
• Limited research exists on O.D. prevalence and associated factors among MWF-exposed workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of occupational dermatitis (O.D.) among MWF factory workers in Bengaluru.
• To identify sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with O.D. in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 205 MWF workers across 6 factories.
• Data collection included sociodemographic details, work specifics, and O.D. symptoms.
• Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression, were employed.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of O.D. was 15.4%, with common symptoms including dryness (14.6%) and itching (14.6%).
• Significant factors associated with O.D. included older age, longer service duration, specific machining processes, machine enclosure status, and nonuse of gloves.
• Logistic regression identified increased risk with age [4.13 (1.5-3.6)] and service duration [6.13 (1.48-25.6)], and reduced risk with machine enclosure [(0.30 (0.19-0.90)] and glove use [0.15 (0.05-0.44)].

Conclusions:

• 15.6% of MWF workers experienced O.D., emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
• Preventative strategies should focus on limiting MWF exposure through training, PPE, engineering controls, and medical surveillance.
• Addressing factors like age, service duration, and PPE non-compliance is crucial for mitigating O.D. risk.