[Occupational contact dermatitis: analysis of clinical case reports, 1972-1985].

The hospital records of 105 subjects with professional dermatitis, admitted at the Institute of Occupational Health of Verona between 1972 and 1985, were reviewed. Work sectors, chemicals, sites of dermatitis, latency and age of onset were evaluated. Contact allergic dermatitis were 80% while irritative ones were 10%. Metal-, construction- and tannery workers were more frequently involved. The most common causes were salts of heavy metals. The authors discuss results and remark the need of standardization in diagnostic procedures.