RISKOFDERM: The European research project for assessment of occupational skin exposure to chemicals [RISKOFDERM: un progetto europeo per la valutazione dell'esposizione per via cutanea a tossici industriali]

Objectives: RISKOFDERM is a research project whose aim is to develop instruments to assess and manage occupational dermal exposure to chemical substances. Methods: The research, funded by the European Commission, involves 15 Institutes from 10 member countries; it is a continuation of the Dermal Exposure Network experience and consists of four interrelated parts. The first phase (Qualitative survey) assumed that dermal exposure can be extrapolated from one compound to another when it is task-based: therefore six Dermal Exposure Operation units (DEOu) were defined that lead back to the variety of occupational dermal exposure conditions and an extensive Questionnaire was developed for on-site surveys to perform standard observations in selected working situations (scenarios). Results: The Italian group, participating in the research, obtained a set of observations relating to two "scenarios" in different working sectors: asphalt, ceramic and pottery workers, spectacle decorators and paint production: the aim was to verify the validity of the methodology in assessing the risk of percutaneous absorption, time, frequency and extension of skin exposure. Conclusions: From the observations made it was shown that the perception of risk was poor; it is necessary to rationalise work organization, and train and inform the employees on the correct use of personal protection devices.