How do I find out what a worker is exposed to on his job?

By law, employers must provide their employees information regarding all possible workplace exposures. Each of these information sheets, known as Material Safety Data Sheets, has information about a particular compound, including hazardous ingredients that it contains in concentrations >1%. They also list the manufacturer’s name and phone number, which is useful for the dermatologist to check on other ingredients, because many cutaneous allergens are present in the final product in concentrations <1%. Dermatology and occupational medicine textbooks also provide general lists of allergens and irritants that may be specific to a particular occupation. On occasion, a more in-depth investigation may require a visit to the patient’s place of employment. It is a unique opportunity to observe the worker performing his duties, the general working conditions, protective measures used, and other contactants that the patient might have overlooked.

Adams R: Occupational skin disease, ed 3, Philadelphia, 1999, WB Saunders.