Has dry/cold weather an impact on the skin condition of cleanroom workers?

Weistenhöfer W, Uter W, Drexler H (2016)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Book Volume: 79

Pages Range: 1118-1124

Journal Issue: 22-23

DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1219602

Abstract

In previous epidemiological studies irritant skin changes were reported significantly more frequently under dry/cold ambient air conditions. The aim of this study was to assess whether a similar effect might be observed in cleanroom workers, occupationally exposed to strictly controlled ambient conditions. This investigation examined 690 employees of a semiconductor production company in Germany, one half in winter (n = 358) and the other half in spring (n = 332). In both waves, both cleanroom workers, who used occlusive gloves predominantly during the entire shift, and employees in the administration, serving as the control group, were included. Ambient outdoor temperature and relative humidity (RH) were measured and absolute humidity (AH) was calculated. Hands were dermatologically examined with quantitative clinical skin score HEROS, supplemented by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration measurements. Temperature ranged from -5.41 to 6.51°C in winter (RH 71.04-92.38%; AH 2.85-6.7 g/m(3)) and from 6.35 to 10.26°C in spring (RH 76.17-82.79%; AH 5.66-7.92 g/m(3)). Regarding HEROS, TEWL, and corneometry, no marked consistent pattern regarding an enhanced or decreased risk of irritant skin changes was found. Work in a strictly controlled environment with prolonged wearing of occlusive gloves, with clean hands and without exposure to additional hazardous substances, did not seem to negatively affect the skin. In this particular setting, meteorological conditions also did not appear to adversely affect the skin. It is conceivable that wearing of gloves and air conditioning in the plant protect skin of the hands from adverse effects due to dry and cold air encountered when not working.

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APA:

Weistenhöfer, W., Uter, W., & Drexler, H. (2016). Has dry/cold weather an impact on the skin condition of cleanroom workers? Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health-Part A-Current Issues, 79(22-23), 1118-1124. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2016.1219602

MLA:

Weistenhöfer, Wobbeke, Wolfgang Uter, and Hans Drexler. "Has dry/cold weather an impact on the skin condition of cleanroom workers?" Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health-Part A-Current Issues 79.22-23 (2016): 1118-1124.

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