Review article
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AS SOURCE OF SKIN PROBLEMS IN INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
JELENA MACAN
EDITA VUJASINOVIĆ
IVANA MALOČA
TANJA PUŠIĆ
Abstract
Investigation into the manufacture and use of textiles and protective clothing have revealed that protective work clothing may cause skin problems, including tickling or burning sensation and itching, most commonly without visible skin changes. Textile-related skin diseases are less common and usually in the form of skin inflammation, i.e. contact dermatitis. Factors causing skin sensitivity or skin disease due to the clothing worn or handling of textiles are the physical and mechanical properties of the skin, environment, type of fibres, processes and agents used in the textile manufacture and in the manufacture of the finished product. Textile-related dermatitis is a skin inflammation caused by the wearing of the clothes or handling of textiles (manufacture, processing, maintenance, sale). The inflammation may be irritative or allergic. The most common causes of irritative dermatitis are of physical (rubbing, pressure, type of fibre) or chemical nature (detergents, starch, formaldehyde) and the most common textile allergens are dyes, formaldehyde, rubber and metals. Textile-related dermatitis is rarer and usually mild, with spontaneous recovery. However, its emergence in the form of a minor epidemic may occur in occupational conditions and then presents a health and economy problem. The prevention of textile-related dermatitis is implemented on several levels, requiring planning and engineering measures in the manufacturing process, adherence to internationally adopted quality criteria, (Eko-Tex Standard), education and training of workers and employers, suitable work and hygiene practises, regular medical monitoring of workers.
Keywords
allergens; detergents; irritants; textile dermatitis; textile fibers; textile refinement; working clothes
Hrčak ID:
7814
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2006.
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