Outcome Study 1

"Effectiveness of a hand regimen system in a fiberglass manufacturing facility"

Abstract

Although workers who handle the multiple stages of a fiberglass manufacturing process are a workplace population at high risk for occupational contact dermatitis, no studies of the skin condition of the workers or the effects of a skin care program have been reported worldwide. Thus, a study was conducted at a fiberglass manufacturing facility in order to better understand the effects of a skin care regimen. A comprehensive skin care program was implemented that included site surveys and analyses, a training program, and the use of GOJO products such as GOJO® MULTI GREEN® Hand Cleaner (a medium duty industrial cleanser) and GOJO® HAND MEDIC® Professional Skin Conditioner (a skin conditioner). A technical approach, which included various skin bioengineering techniques, was employed to characterize skin condition and the effectiveness of the skin care program. The bioengineering skin measurements were analyzed in conjunction with self-assessment questionnaires completed by the panelists. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using a comprehensive skin care program in the fiberglass manufacturing environment.

Comparison of the change in the skin condition of workers using the skin care program with those not using it (control group) demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvements in skin condition. This was shown by the skin hydration, skin moisture capacity, transepidermal water loss, and three-dimensional color scans of the hand. This quantitative improvement in skin condition was evident in the perception of the improvement in skin condition found in the analysis of the self-assessment questionnaires.

Results

The results from the data analysis for all of the instruments and for the skin condition questionnaire are given in the following tables. The data were converted so that positive numbers represent an improving skin condition while negative numbers represent a degrading skin condition.

Table 1 exhibits the results of the data analysis conducted on the data collected from the Minolta Chromameter. The 3-D color scan results demonstrated a statistically significant change in redness in both testing groups. The product group showed a significant decrease in redness during the first week and continued to show a decreasing trend during the second week. The control group continued its trend from the first week of testing with a significant increase in redness during the second week.

Table 2 exhibits the results from the data analysis for transepidermal water loss (TEWL). There were statistically significant changes in both test groups. The product group showed a statistically significant decrease in transepidermal water loss during the first week of testing, and the group continued to demonstrate this trend during the second week. The control group showed a definite trend in the increase of transepidermal water loss during the first week, and the group showed a statistically significant increase during the second week of testing.

Table 3 contains the results from the data analysis conducted on the skin hydration data. Neither of the testing groups showed a significant change during the first week of testing, but a noticeable trend is recognizable. During the second week of testing, the product group showed a statistically significant increase in skin hydration. The control group showed a statistically significant decrease in skin hydration during the second week of testing.

The data for the skin moisture capacity, Table 4, showed the most distinct changes between the two testing groups. The product group showed a statistically significant increase in moisture capacity during the entire two-week study. In direct contrast, the control group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in moisture capacity during the same time frame.

Table 5 shows the self-assessment results for the two-week study obtained from the participants' questionnaires. All of the measures of skin condition improved significantly over the two-week period for the product group, while those for the control group either declined or did not change. The workers in the product group rating their skin condition as good went from 8 % at the beginning of the study to 71% after two weeks of product use.

Conclusion

These studies indicate clearly the benefits in terms of improved skin condition that resualts from the regular use of a skin treatment product as part of an industrial skin care regimen. Such a product does not eliminate the need for engineering controls and, where relevant, the use of personal protective equipment (such as gloves). However, where degreasing due to contact with solvents, detergents, powders, and similar irritants cannot be avoided completely, or where frequent handwashing is necessary, then an effective skin care regimen will play a significant role in the maintenance of good skin condition.