Occupational dermatoses in the food industry.

The occurrence of skin diseases in employees engaged in the food industry has been investigated by means of an epidemiological cross-sectional study. Of the 1052 workers in a large factory in Turku (Finland), 17% reported a current skin disease. Occupational eczema was diagnosed in 8,5% of the 541 female employees examined in detail. It was twice as common among those handling fish, meat and vegetables or making "instant" food as among those making confectionery. Hand eczema was present in 15% of the 196 workers handling food, in 8,5% of the 259 confectioners and in 6% of the 86 office employees. History of atopic dermatitis could be revealed in 30% and history of asthma or hay fever without dermatitis in 15% of the employees with current hand eczema.