Dermatological risks of vegetable oil esters

Project No. FFFF 0187

Status:

completed 12/2002

Aims:

Cleaning agents on basis of vegetable oil serve as substitute for VOC (EU-Projects SUBSPRINT in printing industry and SUMOVERA in construction industry). The hypothesis, that the alternatives indeed reduce overall health risks, has still to be proved. Stress and strain from both have to be compared.

Activities/Methods:

Cross sectional study; ca 487 subjects (258 exposed to VOC, 229 exposed to vegetable oil esters); ambient monitoring and biological monitoring; dermatological examination; preventive occupational medical examination;

Results:

Handling of vegetable oil based agents causes a slightly increased dermatological risk compared with mineral oil based agents. No significant skin penetration was found. Skin protection showed no protective effect.

Publications:

Final report (in German) "Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Belastung und Beanspruchung am Arbeitsplatz durch Reinigungsmittel auf Mineralöl- und auf Pflanzenölbasis unter besonderer Berücksichtigung akuter und chronischer Hauterkrankungen" (PDF, 712 kB, non-accessible)

Last Update:

12 Jan 2004

Project

Financed by:
  • Berufsgenossenschaft Druck und Papierverarbeitung
  • Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften (HVBG)
Research institution(s):
  • Institut für Arbeitsmedizin der Universität Erlangen
  • Institut für Arbeitsmedizin der Technischen Hochschule Aachen
  • Berufsgenossenschaft Druck und Papierverarbeitung
Branche(s):

-cross sectoral-

Type of hazard:

dangerous substances

Catchwords:

Lösungsmittel, Gefährdungsbeurteilung, Gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigungen und Störungen

Description, key words:

cleansing agents, mineral oil, skin diseases

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