Water exposure – challenging differences between occupations

Summary Background Few studies have compared water exposure between different occupations in the general population. Objectives To investigate and compare the extent of occupational water exposure, with a focus on service, healthcare and production occupations previously classified as involving a high risk for hand eczema. Methods In two public health surveys (2006 and 2010), a validated question regarding occupational water exposure was answered by 18 342 and 15 736 gainfully employed individuals, respectively. Results Exposure for ≥ 0.5 h/day was reported by 17.5% and 16.3% ( p = 0.020) for the respective years, and exposure for > 2 h/day by 7.8% and 7.7% ( p = 0.73). Exposure in women was almost twice as high as in men for both years ( p ≤ 0.001) and exposure levels ( p < 0.001). Exposure for > 2 h/day was more common in high‐risk occupations in service and healthcare than in non‐high‐risk occupations [prevalence proportion ratios of 16.7 (95%CI: 14.0–20.0) and 8.3 (95%CI: 6.9–9.9), respectively]. Exposure was highest in service occupations, where 44.6% reported exposure for > 2 h/day in 2010, and kitchen work, cleaning and hairdressing dominated. In healthcare, the corresponding figure was 22.0%. Conclusions Challenging differences in water exposure between occupational groups were found, and extensive water exposure was reported in a number of occupations previously classified as involving a high risk for hand eczema.