Health-hazard-evaluation report HETA 87-042-1869, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Jacksonville, Florida

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6923549

Ornella, G A; Mathias, C G.T.

In response to a request from the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Jacksonville, Florida, an evaluation was made of working conditions at public health laboratories to investigate outbreaks of red rashes, dryness, and chapping of skin among employees. Exposure to the oxidase reagents used in the preliminary identification of Neisseria-gonorrhoeae cultures was reported by 54 of 99 workers completing a questionnaire. In skin-patch tests using oxidase reagents, seven of 27 individuals tested positive for allergic contact dermatitis to oxidase reagents. A relationship was also noted between those who were nonsensitized victims of dermatitis and the degree of exposure they had to the oxidase reagents. There is a health hazard from exposure to oxidase compounds at these public health laboratories. The authors recommend that more extensive patch testing be carried out and those workers testing positive be transferred to other areas of the facility. Those workers who are not sensitive should wear disposable vinyl gloves when working with oxidase reagents. Work practices should be changed to minimize accidental spillage.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6923549
• Report Number(s): PB-88-221593/XAB; HETA-87-042-1869
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000* -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CULTURE MEDIA
ENZYMES
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
LABORATORIES
MEDICINE
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PUBLIC HEALTH
REAGENTS
USA