Introduction

Abstract

Advances in industrialization have contributed to environmental pollution, which represents a major risk to the health of populations. On the other hand, increased incidence of skin diseases has been reported both in developed and developing countries due to high levels of hazardous substances in the working and living environments; these include physical, animal, and chemical particulates. This book provides updated knowledge and information on the epidemiology, etiology, and physiopathology of prevalent occupational and environmental skin diseases (OESD), their prevention, with particular emphasis on skin health safety issues and disease risk factors present at workplace and in the living environment, as well as recent progress on their management. It comprises a PhD thesis and original reports, perspectives and review articles as well. Thus, it can be useful for occupational and environmental health practitioners, academic lecturers, researchers, graduate students, and clinicians in the field of skin diseases. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of allergic diseases, for example, increased sharply in many rich countries; however, their management is still challenging due mainly to the limitation in treatment choices and the adverse effects related to most of the existing conventional therapeutic agents. At workplace, the establishment of a safety and health service, organizing a surveillance and reporting systems for dermal exposures at workplace, and a strict compliance with safety measures and occupational exposure limits for skin hazards (for chemical hazards particularly), as well as the implementation of efficient and affordable therapeutic procedures for OESD, are of utmost importance.