Abstract
The National Agricultural Workers Survey estimates that immigrants constitute approximately 78% of the migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States. Migrant farmworkers, defined as those traveling at least 75 miles and establishing a temporary abode within the previous year for work, made up 42% of the crop workers in 2001–2002.1 Farmworkers are exposed to hazardous working conditions, such as exposure to pesticides, working long hours in hot climates, and working with dangerous machinery. These working conditions predispose agricultural workers to occupational skin disease, among other health problems.2 Contact dermatitis, an irritating and inflammatory skin reaction to a foreign substance, is one of the most common skin problems among farmworkers. However, there is limited research involving the prevalence and specific etiologies of contact dermatitis in migrant farmworkers. In many countries, occupational contact dermatitis is the most common reportable occupational disease, and makes up 30% of payable compensation.3 It is difficult to accurately compare data from different countries due to differences in the reporting of occupational diseases and the fact that national registries are often incomplete.4 In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics acquires data regarding occupational disease from an annual survey that includes a representative random sample of business establishments in private industries. In the sector of agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, the incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries/illnesses was 6.4 per 100 full time workers, second only to manufacturing in the goods producing industries.5 However, the incidence of occupational skin disease may actually be underreported of by 10 to 50 times, according to some estimates.4 Due to the paucity of data specific to skin disease in migrant farmworkers, we describe the existing knowledge on the prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis in any farmworker.
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