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

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are complex oils used to protect the metal piece and the cutting tool from friction and wear out during the machining process. Direct contact of skin with MWF can lead to occupational dermatitis (O.D.). It is a local skin inflammation caused by occupational exposure to any substance at work leading to dryness, itching, redness, and wheals on the skin. Annually, 1.2 million metal workers are exposed to MWF, but there needs to be more research on them.

To determine the associated factors of O.D. among the MWF factory workers in Bengaluru.

A cross-sectional study among 205 MWF workers in 6 MWF factories was conducted to obtain data on sociodemographic details, work details, and symptoms of O.D. Descriptive statistics of categorical variables like O.D. were summarized in percentages with a 95% confidence level. Chi-square test and Binary logistic regression were used to study the association of O.D. with MWF.

The proportion of O.D. was 15.4%, with 14.6%, 14.6%, 13.2%, 5.9%, and 6.3% having dryness, itching, redness, cuts, and bleeding, respectively. In Logistic regression, the factors associated with statistically significant are age [4.13 (1.5-3.6)], years of service duration [6.13 (1.48-25.6)], machining process [0.002 (1.731-10.7] enclosure of machines [(0.30 (0.19-0.90)], and nonuse of gloves [0.15 (0.05-0.44)].

This research concludes that MWF workers observed that 15.6% had O.D. Preventing O.D. by limiting exposure to MWF through periodic training, adequate supply and practice of personal protective equipment, engineering, and medical measures are crucial.