Heavy metals and the skin: Sensitization patterns in Lithuanian metalworkers

Background: Metalworkers are exposed to many sensitizing and irritant substances. There are no published data on contact allergy in this population in the Baltic countries. Objectives: To detect skin symptoms related to occupational exposure and to describe the reactivity pattern to the European baseline series in workers from two metal plants in Lithuania. Methods: In this cross-sectional study 185 metalworkers (154 production workers and 31 office staff) filled an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Patch testing was performed in 135 metalworkers and office staff, as a control group. Results: Metalworkers younger than 40 years complained statistically significantly more often of skin symptoms, especially on the hands and face, than older workers. Physician-diagnosed skin diseases were reported in 1.7% of cases. Metalworkers, working