Prevalence and risk factors of occupational hand dermatoses in electronics workers Judith Shu-Chu Shiao 1 , Hamm-Ming Sheu 2 , Chiou-Jong Chen 3 , Perng-Jyh Tsai 4 and Yueliang Leon Guo 4 1 Department of Nursing, Chung-Hwa College of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan 2 Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan 3 Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan 4 Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan The electronics industry is becoming an important mainstream in the workforce in some developed countries and in Taiwan. Among patients with occupational hand dermatitis in northern Taiwan, workers from electronics industries were one of the most important groups. We conducted a field investigation to determine the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of occupational hand dermatoses among electronics workers. The survey was conducted in five electronics plants using a self- administered questionnaire on skin symptoms and risk factors. Skin examination and patch testing were followed for those with symptoms compatible with hand dermatitis. A total of 3070 workers completed the questionnaire. Among them, 302 (9.8%) reported to have symptoms (itching and with either redness/scaling) compatible with contact dermatitis on hands. Hand dermatitis was associated with working in the fabrication unit and personal history of atopy and metal allergy, as well as the following job titles: wafer bonding, cutting, printing/photomasking, softening/degluing, impregnation and tin plating. Among those with reported hand dermatitis, 183 completed skin examination and patch testing, 65/183 (35.5%) were diagnosed as having irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and 7/183 (3.8%) allergic contact dermatitis. The most important allergens were nickel, cobalt and phenylenediamine. In conclusion, Taiwanese electronics workers have a high riskof having hand dermatitis, especially ICD. Preventive efforts should be focused on the workerswith risk factors or at certain worksites. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2004; 20: 1  /7. Introduction The electronics industry has been one of the most rapidly growing industries in Asia in the past few decades. Workers in the electronics industry are often exposed to skin irritant and sensitizers (Adam, 1986). Consequently, occupational skin disorders are becoming important occupational disease states among electronics workers (Koh et al ., 1990; Koh, 2000; Ladou, 1986). Irritant and allergic contact dermatoses are the most commonly reported among these diseases (Koh et al ., 1994). Causal agents for skin diseases in electronics workers include epoxy resins, acrylates (Tosti et al ., 1992), metals, fibreglass, flux, etc. (Koh et al ., 1992; van der Walle, 1994). We have previously reported that among patients with occupational hand dermatitis in Taiwan, workers from the electronics industry were among Address all correspondence to: Yueliang Leon Guo, Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, 61 Shiao-Tong Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan E-mail: leonguo@mail.ncku.edu.tw Toxicology and Industrial Health 2004; 20: 1 /7 www.tihjournal.com # Arnold 2004 10.1191/0748233704th193oa