• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.830-839
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• 1997

Painting is risky work to occupational skin disease. This research was carried out to investigate the prevalence of occupational skin diseases in painting department of a shipyard company in June 1996. Dermatological examination, self-administered questionnaire survey were conducted. Exposed group(n=379) was selected randomly in painting department and control of group(n=151) was selected in those who had not exposed to paints or solvents. The prevalence of contact dermatitis(11.9%) is significantly elevated compared with control of group(2.6%), and odds ratio(OR) is 4.95 (95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.75-14.02). The prevalence of Tinea pedis, the most common skin disease, in exposure group is 48.0%, and its odds ratio(OR) is significantly elevated compared with control group (OR:3.18, 95% CI: 2.06-4.90). Pompholyx is also significantly elevated in prevalence(11.9%) and OR(OR:6.64, 95% CI:2.03-21.69). There were no difference in the prevalence of contact dermatitis, Tinea pedis, and pompholyx by use of personal protective equipments(PPE), job categories, and duration of employment in painting department. In exposure group, 71.1% suffer from contact dermatitis improved in vacation or holiday and 68.9% of them had lesion on exposed area, it suggest that contact dermatitis in exposed group is related to their work. In conclusion, workers in painting department have high risks of contact dermatitis, Tinea pedis, and pompholyx. A health policy should be provided to prevent skin disease among painting department.