Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We tried to establish a Regional Occupational Surveillance System (ROSS) for estimating the prevalence and monitoring the trend of occupational dermatitis among 718 manufacturing workers exposed to organic solvents and nonmetallic chemicals in small and medium sized businesses of 1,2 industrial complex area of taejon City.
METHODS
Through the report from the nurses of Group Occupational Health Management System, we made a case referral and immediate health examination system with occupational medical clinics. We also performed a survey for detecting occupational dermatitis by a self-administered questionnaire. Case must meet 3 criteria; 1) He/She must have one or more significant cutaneous signs and symptoms. 2) The symptom should be changed by the work condition or caused by risk chemicals. 3) Dermatitis should be diagnosed by a doctor. Results Among the 131 workers(17. 7 %) with significant symptoms screened by the questionnaire, 4 workers(0. 6 %) met the case definition criteria. And among the 45 workers (6. 3 9o) referred to the immediate diagnosed system, 14 workers (l. 9 %) were Strongly suspected to have occupational dermatitis.
CONCLUSIONS
These prevalence rates were quite underestimated because of deficient recognition of the disease severity among the workers, reversibility of the target diseases, and life-threathening mood due to nationwide economic crisis and the socioeconomic withdrawal of each business. Ultimately, harmonized activities of government, industry, labor unions, volunteer organization and academy relating to occupational health in a community should be encouraged to do creative, consistent efforts for evolution and development of this first trial of ROSS.

• Keywords: Regional occupational surveillance system;Occupational dermatitis;Immediate health examination system;Group occupational health management system