Patterns of occupational skin disease: Experience of a university clinic

The Occupational Skin Disease Clinic (OSD) at the Yale-New Haven Hospital is the first and only one of its kind in New England. During the initial year of service a total of 169 workers were evaluated through the hospital based unit (67 workers) and a field studies consultation program (102 workers). Workers in metal machining industries and epoxy-type plastics operations accounted for more than half of all cases. Demographic patterns, job description and diagnostic considerations are reviewed. It is becoming increasingly clear that many of the cutaneous, technical, social and legal problems of the worker-patient are unique and difficult to quantitate. The OSD clinic offers a valuable setting for clinician and basic research scientist to explore newer methods to prevent or control these disabling conditions.