Skin diseases of occupational origin outnumber all other work-related illnesses. Airborne exposures often receive more attention because they are easier to measure and compare to standards and guidelines. However, safety and health professionals should not neglect the evaluation and control of chemical exposures that cause dermatitis and/or systemic effects through skin contact and/or absorption. A short summary of significant items and resources related to these issues is provided in this discussion. Protective equipment manufacturers also provide good information on this topic.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association has published guidelines for assessing your occupational concerns in the dermal arena.

Certified Environmental Management, Ltd. (CEM), have web-based tools and electronic based evaluation tools that allow for Dermal Hazard Assessments following the latest published guidelines and color charting. See below for criterion language and tools utilized by CEM to conduct a detailed Dermal Exposure Assessment.

Dermal Contact Area (DCA) - Assuming the absence of dermal PPE:

1. Unexpected/unlikely.
2. Very small area of skin contact.
3. Contact possible to hands and forearm.
4. Contact possible to significant area of skin.

Dermal Concentration (DC):

1. Negligible concentration of agent likely to contact the skin.
2. Low concentration of agent likely to contact the skin.
3. Moderate concentration of agent likely to contact the skin.
4. High concentration of agent likely to contact the skin.

Dermal Contact Frequency (DCF):

1. Minimal contact with skin; one or two incidental contacts; contact during less than 5% of work shift.
2. Up to 10 incidental contacts with skin; contact during less than 10% of work shift.
3. Up to 50 incidental contacts with skin; contact during less than 50% of work shift.
4. Routine incidental contact with skin throughout the shift; contact during 50-100% of work shift.

Dermal Retention Time (DRT):

1. Amount transferred unlikely to remain on skin for any period of time (i.e., high volatility, dry and powdery).
2. Amount transferred may remain on skin for some time (i.e., some volatility or adherence to skin).
3. Amount transferred is likely to remain on skin for a significant period of time (i.e., low volatility, high MW, sticky or consolidated on skin even if not visible).
4. Amount transferred very likely to remain on skin (i.e., substance not volatile, MW > 100, substance very likely to stick to skin).

Dermal Penetration Potential (DPP):

1. Rare (large, insoluble particles).
2. Less likely (small insoluble particles > 1 micron in size, or both poor lipid solubility and poor water solubility).
3. Possible or slow (very small insoluble particles < 1 micron, or some lipid solubility and some water solubility, or marginal skin health).
4. Probable or likely (good lipid solubility and good water solubility, or poor skin health).

Exposure Potential Rating (Dermal Exposure Rating):

Exp. Potential Rating = (DCA) (DC) (DCF) (DRT) (DPP)

The Dermal Exposure Rating is determined by multiplying each of the above five Ratings together to provide a value between 1 and 1024.

Dermal Hazard Rating:

1. Reversible or very low skin or systemic toxicity.
2. Moderate but reversible skin or systemic toxicity.
3. Irreversible/chronic skin or systemic toxicity or sensitization.
4. Life threatening skin or systemic toxicity or sensitization.

Risk Rating Levels (Color Code):

1. Green - Low risk.
2. Yellow - Moderate risk.
3. Orange - High risk.
4. Red - Very high risk.

For more information see http://www-nmcphc.med.navy.mil/IH/GeigerSkinExposure.doc.