Dermatological risks of vegetable oil esters

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)

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