Skin Exposures and Effects in the Work Place

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently published a new Work Place Safety and Health Topic.

The Skin Exposures and Effects notes the following

It is estimated that more than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity. Historically, efforts to control workplace exposures to hazardous agents have focused on inhalation rather than skin exposures. As a result, assessment strategies and methods are well developed for evaluating inhalation exposures in the workplace; standardized methods are currently lacking for measuring and assessing skin exposures.

This CDC skin exposure Web page includes information about skin anatomy and function, skin hazards, occupations at risk,
skin absorption into the body , and contact dermatitis.

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division