Dermatological screening.
Occupational skin diseases are the most frequently reported occupational diseases in the US today. In addition, nonoccupational skin diseases are also prevalent among workers. Dermatological screening examinations may be performed to detect conditions that place the worker at increased risk, so that risk might be reduced; detect early signs of specific occupational diseases; or systematically record cutaneous abnormalities so that increases in prevalence or incidence associated with workplace exposures can be identified. Some of the available dermatological screening methods will be discussed, with attention to ways in which the effectiveness of screening may be enhanced. Conditions for which such procedures may be useful include dermatitis, acne, chloracne, pigmentary changes, melanoma, and nonmelanoma skin cancer. The importance of biological monitoring in relation to cutaneous exposure is also discussed.