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A total of 2820 oilmen regularly exposed to industrial oil were examined. Folliculites were detected in 151, furuncles in 63, hydradenitis in 58, phlegmons in 35, panaritium in 30 subjects. The number of invalidity days due to pyogenic dermatoses was 2-3 times higher among the workers exposed to deep oils than among those handling surface oils; this difference is explained by chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of the extracted oil.

Examinations of 518 refinery workers have helped define the dermatologic morbidity structure. Immunologic examinations have been carried out in 82 workers. 70 of these have developed skin abnormalities (toxicoderma, eczema, itching, hyperkeratosis, vascular spots, abnormal pigmentation, etc.). The studies have revealed reduced levels of the cell-mediated immunity parameters: T-lymphocytes, T-theophylline-sensitive lymphocytes, and decreased functional activities thereof); this has been parallelled by activation of the humoral immunity.

Allergenic and photosensitizing effects of organophosphorus pesticides (OPP) have been detected, as well as their destructive effect on the skin cell ultrastructure, on the body metabolism and enzymic systems, and the inhibitory effect on cholinesterase activity. Pesticide-induced changes in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are significant in the mechanism of dermatoses development. The complex of treatment-and-prophylaxis measures includes regular dermatologic check-ups and limitation of the number of subjects handling OPP. Subjects in whom premorbid shifts have been detected, should be followed up. The therapy and prevention of the dermatoses developing as a result of exposure to pesticides may be effectively carried out with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, etc.; diets with the optimal PUFA-tocopherol ratio are advisable. Overalls with multiple protective physicochemical characteristics, filtering respirators and such are recommended.

Examinations of 518 refinery workers have revealed photodermatoses in 106. The disease ran a benign course: chronic or subacute one, eventuating in hyperpigmentation and vascular maculae in the workers exposed to oil and oil products. The patients suffering from occupational photodermatoses develop immunologic shifts, i.e. reduced levels of T-cells, T-suppressors, elevated counts of B-cells and of serum immunoglobulins G and M.