Phototoxic Dermatosis among Coal-tar Pitch Workers.
- Author:
Cheol JUNG
1
;
Hyun Sul LIM
;
Doo Hie KIM
;
Yeol Oh SUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Doggguk University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
coal-tar pitch;
phototoxicity;
coal-tar acne;
photopatch test
- MeSH:
Acne Vulgaris;
Adult;
Dermatitis, Phototoxic;
Health Policy;
Humans;
Skin Diseases*
- From:Korean Journal of Preventive Medicine
1997;30(1):145-156
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Interview survey and dermatological examination have been performed to investigate the health problems of workers continuously exposed to coal-tar pitch. The phototoxicity of coal-tar pitch was confirmed by the photopatch tests for six healthy adults. The main results are followings; 1. There was no special history of allergic diseases in both the exposed and non-exposed group. 2. The frequency of the phototoxic dermatosis and the coal-tar acne in the exposed group was significantly greater(p<0.05) than that of the control group. In the exposed group, the phototoxic dermatosis and the coal-tar acne were observed in nine workers(90%) and seven workers(70%), respectively. However, those disease were not observed in the control group. 3. Five results(83%) were positive to the photopatch test for coal-tar pitch 48 hours after UVA irradiation. But the lesion was subsiding 72 hours after UVA irradiation. 4. Malignant cancers were not reported among workers ever exposed to coal-tar pitch. In conclusion, it appears that workers exposed to coal-tar pitch have high risks of phototoxic dermatosis and coal-tar acne. A health policy should be provided to prevent phototoxic dermatosis among coal-tar pitch workers. More studies are required to determine malignancy.
