Occupation Common irritants encountered
Agriculture Oils
Solvents
Cleansers and detergents
Plants
Animal hair, saliva, secretions
Wet work
Automobile industry Oils (cutting oils)
Solvents
Cleansers and detergents
Cement and construction industry Cement
Wood preservatives
Oils
Acids and alkalis
Fiberglass
Cleaners and housework Wet work
Cleansers and detergents
Abrasives
Electrical/electronics Solvents
Soldering flux
Cleansers and detergents
Acids and alkalis
Food Industry Wet Work
Cleansers and detergents
Vegetables, fish, meat, fruit, spices, flour
Hairdressing/beautician Wet work
Shampoos
Permanent wave solutions
Oxidizing agents, bleaching agents
Healthcare and dental Cleansers and detergents
Wet work
Alcohol
Disinfectants
Medications
Solvents
Painting Oils and cutting fluids
Acids and alkalis
Solvents
Metal industry Cleansers and detergents
Paints
Glues and adhesives
Clay, plaster
Plastic industry Plastics
Solvents
Fiberglass
Acids
Rubber industry Solvents
Cleansers and detergents
Frictional/mechanical factor
Woodwork Plastics
Solvents
Wood preservatives
Detergents
Sawdusts
Table 1: High-risk occupations and common irritants encountered. Adapted with kind permission from: Chew AL, Maibach HI (2003) Occupational issues of irritant contact dermatitis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 76: 339.