Occupational dermatoses in perspective.

During 1979 approximately 20% of 160 laboratory employees in an animal virus research institute had skin problems; in two-thirds of cases (14% of the total number of laboratory employees) the dermatoses were non-occupational in origin. Occupational contact dermatitis was irritant in nature rather than allergic. Only one active case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed. This investigation is reported as an example of the profile of skin disease in many places of work; it also demonstrates that most conditions can be managed by improving work practices.