Common industrial processes and occupational irritants and allergens--an update

This paper reviews the recent development of the industrial processes in the construction, electronics and metal industries which are the predominant industries in developing countries. Common occupational irritants and allergens are presented. The information is essential for occupational dermatologists and physicians managing patients with occupational skin diseases. In the construction industry, the prefabrication construction methods are now widely used. The commonest irritant is cement and the allergens are chromate, rubber chemicals and epoxy resins. In the electronics industry, the commonest irritants include soldering flux, solvent and fibreglass, and allergens include resins and metals, rubber chemicals and amines and colophony. Cutting fluid is the commonest occupational irritant in the metal industry. Biocides and metals in The electro-discharge machining process now widely used in the metal industry for precision engineering uses the electrodischarge machining fluids (EDM fluids) which are a strong skin irritant. Preventive measures including health education are most effective against occupational dermatitis.