Furniture manufacture

Abstract

Occupational dermatoses are rare among furniture manufacturers (prevalence among sanders in Singapore 3.8%) The incidence of occupational hand dermatitis per 10,000 workers per year was 2.6 cases among wood processors. Occupational deafness, nasal adenocarcinoma from beech and oak wood, asthma, and allergic rhinitis due to immediate-type hypersensitivity to wood dust, are the most important occupational diseases among furniture manufacturers. Occupational marks, abrasions, and contact dermatitis, particularly in an airborne pattern, are the most common skin lesions. Wood dust, soap and detergents, varnishes, lacquer and organic solvents represent the most relevant irritant hazards to the skin. Synthetic and natural resins, quinones and other natural ingredients in sawdust, preservatives in glues, and acrylates in adhesives are the most frequent contact allergens. Dimethyl fumarate is a novel potent contact allergen identified as the cause of the Chinese sofa dermatitis.