Study design
The relationships between cleaning and occupational dermatitis was studied using a cross sectional study design. Work-related skin symptoms were assessed in 425 cleaners involved in cleaning hospitals, tertiary education institutions, schools, commercial buildings and industry (predominantly meatworks). A standardised dermatitis questionnaire was used and we compared the outcomes in cleaners with those of an external reference group of 281 non-exposed workers (retail workers, clerical workers and bus drivers). We also made comparisons with an internal reference group consisting of those who worked in the cleaning industry, but were not exposed or had only very low exposures to wet work and/or other potential risk factors. Those subjects with suspected dermatitis had photographs taken from the affected skin areas for confirmation by dermatitis experts. We also measured trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) as a measure of skin barrier function and atopy (or allergies) in cleaners and the external reference group.