Roofers

Abstract

Reroofing markets account for approximately 75% of all roofing. Therefore, a roofer is exposed not only to roofing materials used today but also to materials used many decades in the past. Commercial roofers suffer a greater amount of occupational skin disease than do residential roofers. “Tar smarts,” a phototoxic reaction to pitch, is among the most common skin disorder seen in roofers. The advent of Type III bitumen, “low fuming,” pitch has significantly reduced “tar smarts.” Other occupational skin disease in roofers includes chemical burns, irritation from solvents, chronic melanosis, folliculitis/pitch acne, and precancerous and cancerous skin diseases. Although allergic contact dermatitis is much less frequent than irritant contact dermatitis among roofers, allergies are seen, especially to personal protective equipment and tools used in the workplace, as well as to sealants, glues, and other materials (e.g., woods).