[Occupational eczema in gardeners and greenhouse workers in the county of Funen].

The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence of and association between occupational dermatitis and possible risk factors in gardeners and greenhouse workers living on Funen, describe the distribution of different types of eczema and detect the allergens most commonly involved. A cross-sectional study, based on a postal questionnaire and subsequent patch testing of selected persons was carried out in 1958 gardeners. The response rate was 84.6%, and among 250 persons patch tested the most frequently sensitizing occupational allergens were plants of the Compositae family and the fungicide captan. Allergic occupational contact dermatitis was suspected in 43 persons (17%). Irritant eczemas outnumbered allergic eczemas and both were most often caused by plants. The lifetime prevalence of occupational dermatitis was 19.6%. Occupational mucosal symptoms, working with Compositae and training as a gardener in females were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of occupational eczema, whereas sex, age and personal atopy seemed to be of less importance.