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Dan Slodownik

Publications and source records attributed to Dan Slodownik.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Allergic contact dermatitis among maintenance and clerical workers in a military population.

Contact dermatitis is one of the leading causes of occupational morbidity and absenteeism and has become an intolerable cause of missed workdays and health problems in the Israeli military. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of contact dermatitis in maintenance and clerical workers, the common allergens causing it, and the background of atopy in the subjects in order to design preventive measures. Medical records of all recruits to the Israel Defense Forces from 2000 to 2003 were reviewed for contact dermatitis. The 102 cases found were further assessed for job assignment, atopic background, and allergens. Of the 102 cases, 60 had irritant contact dermatitis and 42 had allergic contact dermatitis, of which 33 (78.6%) were maintenance workers, mainly mechanics. 13 soldiers in the maintenance job category (39%) and 2 soldiers in the clerical group (22.2%) had atopic background. There were 55 positive reactions in patch tests, 25 of them to oil and cooling fluids, with 14.5% attributed to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone) (Kathon CG). Atopy was found to be a risk factor for allergic contact dermatitis in our study and should be screened for in job assignment procedures in the military. Oil and greases contain significant allergens, especially their preservatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Thimerosal--is it really irrelevant?

Recently, several investigators claimed that thimerosal is one of the most irrelevant allergens existing in screening for contact dermatitis. 508 patients who were suspected to have allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested at our clinic. They completed a questionnaire including medical, demographic and occupational details. We used the standard tray of chemotechnique diagnostics (Malmö, Sweden) and additional series, which were case relevant. The relevance of the allergic reaction to thimerosal was scored from 1 to 6. 19 patients (3.7%) had an allergic reaction to thimerosal. 6 (31.5%) had a definite relevance and 8 (42.1%) had a probable relevance. Only 3 patients (15.8%) had an irrelevant reaction. SPIN value (significance-prevalence index number) was 2281. We found a high proportion of mechanics (42.1%) among the patients who had positive reaction to thimerosal (P < 0.0001). Although previous reports found thimerosal highly irrelevant, our daily experience being supported by the above data indicates that positive reactions to thimerosal could be relevant for many patients.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Value of preemployment medical assessments for white-collar workers.

Employee absenteeism as a result of illness, as well as the need to enhance worker efficiency, are areas of increasing concern to employers. Given that preemployment medical assessments are expensive, the authors believe it is prudent to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of such procedures. Medical literature was reviewed, and relevant studies on preemployment assessments were analyzed in terms of yield and methodology. The authors found no clear guidelines for preemployment medical evaluations for white-collar applicants, who typically work in low-risk environments; however, they did conclude that laboratory testing and imaging methods are likely overused. Clear criteria should exist for medical assessment of job applicants, with an emphasis on cost-effectiveness. On the basis of recommendations contained in the literature, the authors suggest use of a self-administered questionnaire, with evaluation by an occupational health staff member when necessary, as the method(s) of choice for preemployment assessment of white-collar workers.

Absenteeism↗