Occupational dermatitis in Danish gardeners and greenhouse workers (I). Prevalence and possible risk factors.

Floristry is considered a hazardous occupation from a dermatological point of view, but there are relatively few epidemiological studies to support this notion. The present investigation set out to assess the prevalence of and association between occupational dermatitis and possible risk factors in Danish gardeners and greenhouse workers. A cross-sectional study, based on a postal questionnaire and subsequent examination and patch testing of those who had occupational eczema from their present work or occupational problems with Compositae, was carried out in 1958 gardeners and greenhouse workers. The response rate was 84.6% and among 301 persons invited for further examination, 253 (84.1%) attended. The lifetime prevalence of occupational eczema in floristry, defined as dermatitis lasting more than 24 h, was 19.6% (95% confidence intervals 17.8-21.3%) among all potential respondents. Occupational mucosal symptoms, working with Compositae plants and a history of previous occupational eczema in floristry were significantly associated with an increased risk of occupational eczema. Sex, age and atopy did not seem to be important risk factors. The results confirm that floristry is a dermatologically hazardous occupation and emphasize the importance of eliciting agents in the working environment rather than personal inherent factors.