No description available.

No description available.

A pele é constituída por duas camadas: a epiderme e a derme sendo que a camada mais superficial da epiderme, o estrato córneo, camada mais superficial da pele é responsável pela sua função de barreira. Os hidratantes são formulações destinadas a manter o conteúdo de água na pele, uma vez que a hidratação é essencial para manter a função barreira íntegra. Assim, emulsões fluídas e semi-fluídas como as nanoemulsões, que apresentam glóbulos na faixa de 20-200 nm estão sendo amplamente utilizadas como veículos em produtos cosméticos por apresentarem vantagens em relação às macroemulsões, como melhor espalhabilidade e penetração, além de possuírem uma maior estabilidade cinética. O emprego de óleos vegetais como constituintes das nanoemulsões tem sido cada vez mais notório, uma vez que esses óleos são capazes de repor as frações lipídicas da pele hidratando-a. Desta forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo obter e caracterizar nanoemulsões O/A a base de óleo de framboesa, maracujá e pêssego e avaliar as propriedades cosméticas da formulação. A atividade antioxidante dos óleos foi avaliada por meio do método do DPPH. O EHL da fase oleosa foi então determinado utilizando-se os tensoativos lipofílicos monolaurato de sorbitano e mono-oleato de sorbitano e os tensoativos hidrofílicos polissorbato 20 , polissorbato 80 e PEG 36 castor oil combinados entre si de modo a originar 5 sistemas binários. A nanoemulsão foi obtida pela metodologia EPI (Emulsion phase inversion), utilizando-se os tensoativos lipofílicos monooleato de sorbitano e PEG-15 castor oil e os tensoativos hidrofílicos PEG-30, PEG-36, PEG-40 e PEG-54 castor oil combinados entre si, e as características físico-químicas da nanoemulsão foram determinadas. A nanoemulsão estável e com menor tamanho de glóbulo foi aditivada de (i) lanolina etoxilada e (ii) lanolina acetilada em diferentes concentrações e as alterações nas características físico-quimicas das nanoemulsões foram avaliadas. As nanoemulsões aditivadas de lanolina acetilada e lanolina etoxilada foram submetidas a testes de estabilidade preliminar e acelerada e a avaliação da influência dos derivados de lanolina na hidratação, oleosidade, valor de pH cutâneo e formação de eritema foram avaliados. A mistura dos óleos apresentou maior atividade antioxidante que os óleos separadamente. O EHL requerido para a fase oleosa da emulsão foi igual a 9 e nanoemulsões com menor tamanho de glóbulos foram obtidas com o par de tensoativos monooleato de sorbitano e PEG 36 castor oil. A lanolina tanto etoxilada quanto acetilada provocou alterações nas propriedades físico-químicas da nanoemulsão inicial. Frente aos testes de estabilidade, a formulação aditivada de lanolina etoxilada mostrou-se mais estável que a formulação aditivada de lanolina acetilada. As nanoemulsões aditivadas de derivados de lanolina provocaram maior hidratação da pele e aumento da oleosidade quando comparada a nanoemulsão não aditivada, não havendo alteração no valor de pH cutâneo e formação de eritema quando as formulações (tanto aditivadas quanto não aditivada) foram aplicadas. / The skin consists of two layers: the epidermis and dermis. The most superficial layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum is responsible for barrier function, so moisturizing formulations are designed to maintain the water content in the skin, since hydration is essential for maintaining the barrier function intact. Thus, fluid and semi-fluid emulsions as the nanoemulsions that present droplets in the range of 20-200 nm are widely used in cosmetics as vehicles because they present advantages over macroemulsões as better spreadability and penetration, and they have greater stability kinetics. The use of vegetable oils as components of the nanoemulsion has been increasingly clear, since these oils are able to replace the lipid fractions of skin moisturizing it, and they have other activities of cosmetic concern. Thus, this study aims to obtain and characterize O/W nanoemulsions composed by raspberry, passion fruit and peach oils and evaluate the cosmetic properties of the formulation. The antioxidant activity of the oils was evaluated by the DPPH method. The HLB of the oil phase was then determined using the lipophilic surfactants sorbitan monolaurate and sorbitan monooleate and the hydrophilic surfactants polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80 and PEG 36 castor oil combined among themselves in order to create five binary systems. The nanoemulsion was obtained by the methodology EPI (Emulsion phase inversion), using the lipophilic surfactants sorbitan monooleate, PEG-15 castor oil and hydrophilic surfactants PEG-30, PEG-36, PEG-40 and PEG-54 castor oil combined among themselves, and the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoemulsion was determined. The stable nanoemulsion and with smaller droplet size was additivated (i) ethoxylated lanolin and (ii) acetylated lanolin in different concentrations and changes in physico-chemical properties of nano-emulsions were evaluated. Nanoemulsions were tested for primary and accelerated stability and the influence of derived from lanolin in hydration, skin pH, oily skin and training erythema were evaluated. The mixture of the oils showed higher antioxidant activity than oils separately. The required HLB for the oil phase of emulsion was equal to 9 and nanoemulsion with smaller droplet size were obtained with the pair of surfactants sorbitan monooleate, PEG 36 castor oil. Ethoxylated an acetylated lanolin caused changes in physico-chemical properties of nanoemulsions. The formulation additivated of ethoxylated lanolin was more stable than the formulation additivated of acetylated lanolin front accelerated stability testing. Nanoemulsions additivated of lanolin derivatives caused a higher skin hydration and increase oily skin when compared to the nanoemulsion without additives, with no change in the value of skin pH and erythema formation when the formulations (both with additives and without additives) were applied.

A pele é constituída por duas camadas: a epiderme e a derme sendo que a camada mais superficial da epiderme, o estrato córneo, camada mais superficial da pele é responsável pela sua função de barreira. Os hidratantes são formulações destinadas a manter o conteúdo de água na pele, uma vez que a hidratação é essencial para manter a função barreira íntegra. Assim, emulsões fluídas e semi-fluídas como as nanoemulsões, que apresentam glóbulos na faixa de 20-200 nm estão sendo amplamente utilizadas como veículos em produtos cosméticos por apresentarem vantagens em relação às macroemulsões, como melhor espalhabilidade e penetração, além de possuírem uma maior estabilidade cinética. O emprego de óleos vegetais como constituintes das nanoemulsões tem sido cada vez mais notório, uma vez que esses óleos são capazes de repor as frações lipídicas da pele hidratando-a. Desta forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo obter e caracterizar nanoemulsões O/A a base de óleo de framboesa, maracujá e pêssego e avaliar as propriedades cosméticas da formulação. A atividade antioxidante dos óleos foi avaliada por meio do método do DPPH. O EHL da fase oleosa foi então determinado utilizando-se os tensoativos lipofílicos monolaurato de sorbitano e mono-oleato de sorbitano e os tensoativos hidrofílicos polissorbato 20 , polissorbato 80 e PEG 36 castor oil combinados entre si de modo a originar 5 sistemas binários. A nanoemulsão foi obtida pela metodologia EPI (Emulsion phase inversion), utilizando-se os tensoativos lipofílicos monooleato de sorbitano e PEG-15 castor oil e os tensoativos hidrofílicos PEG-30, PEG-36, PEG-40 e PEG-54 castor oil combinados entre si, e as características físico-químicas da nanoemulsão foram determinadas. A nanoemulsão estável e com menor tamanho de glóbulo foi aditivada de (i) lanolina etoxilada e (ii) lanolina acetilada em diferentes concentrações e as alterações nas características físico-quimicas das nanoemulsões foram avaliadas. As nanoemulsões aditivadas de lanolina acetilada e lanolina etoxilada foram submetidas a testes de estabilidade preliminar e acelerada e a avaliação da influência dos derivados de lanolina na hidratação, oleosidade, valor de pH cutâneo e formação de eritema foram avaliados. A mistura dos óleos apresentou maior atividade antioxidante que os óleos separadamente. O EHL requerido para a fase oleosa da emulsão foi igual a 9 e nanoemulsões com menor tamanho de glóbulos foram obtidas com o par de tensoativos monooleato de sorbitano e PEG 36 castor oil. A lanolina tanto etoxilada quanto acetilada provocou alterações nas propriedades físico-químicas da nanoemulsão inicial. Frente aos testes de estabilidade, a formulação aditivada de lanolina etoxilada mostrou-se mais estável que a formulação aditivada de lanolina acetilada. As nanoemulsões aditivadas de derivados de lanolina provocaram maior hidratação da pele e aumento da oleosidade quando comparada a nanoemulsão não aditivada, não havendo alteração no valor de pH cutâneo e formação de eritema quando as formulações (tanto aditivadas quanto não aditivada) foram aplicadas. / The skin consists of two layers: the epidermis and dermis. The most superficial layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum is responsible for barrier function, so moisturizing formulations are designed to maintain the water content in the skin, since hydration is essential for maintaining the barrier function intact. Thus, fluid and semi-fluid emulsions as the nanoemulsions that present droplets in the range of 20-200 nm are widely used in cosmetics as vehicles because they present advantages over macroemulsões as better spreadability and penetration, and they have greater stability kinetics. The use of vegetable oils as components of the nanoemulsion has been increasingly clear, since these oils are able to replace the lipid fractions of skin moisturizing it, and they have other activities of cosmetic concern. Thus, this study aims to obtain and characterize O/W nanoemulsions composed by raspberry, passion fruit and peach oils and evaluate the cosmetic properties of the formulation. The antioxidant activity of the oils was evaluated by the DPPH method. The HLB of the oil phase was then determined using the lipophilic surfactants sorbitan monolaurate and sorbitan monooleate and the hydrophilic surfactants polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80 and PEG 36 castor oil combined among themselves in order to create five binary systems. The nanoemulsion was obtained by the methodology EPI (Emulsion phase inversion), using the lipophilic surfactants sorbitan monooleate, PEG-15 castor oil and hydrophilic surfactants PEG-30, PEG-36, PEG-40 and PEG-54 castor oil combined among themselves, and the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoemulsion was determined. The stable nanoemulsion and with smaller droplet size was additivated (i) ethoxylated lanolin and (ii) acetylated lanolin in different concentrations and changes in physico-chemical properties of nano-emulsions were evaluated. Nanoemulsions were tested for primary and accelerated stability and the influence of derived from lanolin in hydration, skin pH, oily skin and training erythema were evaluated. The mixture of the oils showed higher antioxidant activity than oils separately. The required HLB for the oil phase of emulsion was equal to 9 and nanoemulsion with smaller droplet size were obtained with the pair of surfactants sorbitan monooleate, PEG 36 castor oil. Ethoxylated an acetylated lanolin caused changes in physico-chemical properties of nanoemulsions. The formulation additivated of ethoxylated lanolin was more stable than the formulation additivated of acetylated lanolin front accelerated stability testing. Nanoemulsions additivated of lanolin derivatives caused a higher skin hydration and increase oily skin when compared to the nanoemulsion without additives, with no change in the value of skin pH and erythema formation when the formulations (both with additives and without additives) were applied.

No description available.

No description available.

Emulsões são sistemas dispersos constituídos de pelo menos duas fases líquidas imiscíveis e um agente emulsificante para estabilização das mesmas. a fase dispersa destesw sistemas é conhecida como fase interna e o meio dispersante como fase externa, porém, são sistemas termodinamicamente instáveis. A presença de cirstais líquidos aumenta a estabilidade destas dispersões e além de alterar a viscosidade. São capazes de promover o encapsulamento de ativos, permitindo liberação sustentada, bem como a proteção dos fármacos foto- e termosensíveis. O óleo de girassol é uma interessante fase oleosa em uma emulsão, pois possui proprie3dades cicatrizantes devido à alta concentração de ácido linoléico e propriedades antioxidantes devido à presença de polifenóis e vitamina E Possuemaplicações em diferentes áreas como: cosméticos, alimentos, veículos de medicamentos e outros. Assim, os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver emulsões estáveis contendo cristais líquidos a partir da mistura de óleo de girassol (Helianthus annus L.) e mineral (vaselina líquida), caracterizá-las e avaliar a influência de diferentes ésteres graxos na formação dos cristais líquidos. As formulações foram desenvolvidas utilizando o método de diagrama e pseudo-diagrama ternário, a partir dos quais foram selecionadas duas formulações que demonstraram se estáveis e apresentaram cristais líquidos durante todo o teste de estabilidade acelerada. As mesmas foram aditivadas com extrato glicólico de polifenois e ésteres graxos e permaneceram estáveis com cristal líquido. A caracterização reológica observou-se fluxo pseudo-plástico e tixotrópico, ideal para produtos farmacêuticos e cosméticos. O óleo de girassol apresentou atividade antioxidante mesmo quando aquecidos para o processo de emulsificação pelo método do radical DPPH·. As cadeias carbônicas dos ésteres graxos utilizados em produtos cosméticos podem influenciar na formação e manutenção dos cristais líquidos. Por meio dos testes in vivo observou-se que as formulações desenvolvidas promoveram aumento prolongado da hidratação da pele e não foram observados sinais de irritação cutânea. / Emulsions are dispersed systems consisting of at least two immiscible liquid phases and an emulsifying agent to stabilize them. The dispersed phase of these systems is known as the internal phase and the dispersing environ is the external phase, which are, however, thermodynamically unstable systems. The presence of liquid crystals increases the stability of these dispersions and also change the viscosity. They are able to promote the encapsulation of active, allowing sustained release as well as the protection of photo-and thermo-sensitive drugs. Sunflower oil is an interesting phase in an oily emulsion, because it has healing properties due to the high concentration of linoleic acid, and antioxidant properties due to the presence of polyphenols and vitamin E. They have applications in different areas such as cosmetics, food, medicines and other vehicles. The objectives of this study were to develop stable emulsions containing liquid crystals from a mixture of sunflower oil (Helianthus annus L.) and mineral (mineral oil), characterize them and evaluate the influence of different fatty esters in the formation of liquid crystals. The formulations were developed using the method of diagram and ternary pseudo-diagram, from which we selected two formulations that have been demonstrated stable and presented as liquid crystals throughout the accelerated stability test. They were doped with polyphenols glycolic extracts and acid esters, and have been kept stable with liquid crystal. At the rheological characterization was observed pseudo-plastic flow and thixotropic, ideal for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Sunflower oil showed antioxidant activity even when heated to the emulsification process by the radical DPPHo method. The carbon chains of fatty esters used in cosmetics can influence the formation and maintenance of liquid crystals. In vivo tests showed that the formulations developed promoted prolonged increase in skin hydration and were not seen signs of skin irritation.

Emulsões são sistemas dispersos constituídos de pelo menos duas fases líquidas imiscíveis e um agente emulsificante para estabilização das mesmas. a fase dispersa destesw sistemas é conhecida como fase interna e o meio dispersante como fase externa, porém, são sistemas termodinamicamente instáveis. A presença de cirstais líquidos aumenta a estabilidade destas dispersões e além de alterar a viscosidade. São capazes de promover o encapsulamento de ativos, permitindo liberação sustentada, bem como a proteção dos fármacos foto- e termosensíveis. O óleo de girassol é uma interessante fase oleosa em uma emulsão, pois possui proprie3dades cicatrizantes devido à alta concentração de ácido linoléico e propriedades antioxidantes devido à presença de polifenóis e vitamina E Possuemaplicações em diferentes áreas como: cosméticos, alimentos, veículos de medicamentos e outros. Assim, os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver emulsões estáveis contendo cristais líquidos a partir da mistura de óleo de girassol (Helianthus annus L.) e mineral (vaselina líquida), caracterizá-las e avaliar a influência de diferentes ésteres graxos na formação dos cristais líquidos. As formulações foram desenvolvidas utilizando o método de diagrama e pseudo-diagrama ternário, a partir dos quais foram selecionadas duas formulações que demonstraram se estáveis e apresentaram cristais líquidos durante todo o teste de estabilidade acelerada. As mesmas foram aditivadas com extrato glicólico de polifenois e ésteres graxos e permaneceram estáveis com cristal líquido. A caracterização reológica observou-se fluxo pseudo-plástico e tixotrópico, ideal para produtos farmacêuticos e cosméticos. O óleo de girassol apresentou atividade antioxidante mesmo quando aquecidos para o processo de emulsificação pelo método do radical DPPH·. As cadeias carbônicas dos ésteres graxos utilizados em produtos cosméticos podem influenciar na formação e manutenção dos cristais líquidos. Por meio dos testes in vivo observou-se que as formulações desenvolvidas promoveram aumento prolongado da hidratação da pele e não foram observados sinais de irritação cutânea. / Emulsions are dispersed systems consisting of at least two immiscible liquid phases and an emulsifying agent to stabilize them. The dispersed phase of these systems is known as the internal phase and the dispersing environ is the external phase, which are, however, thermodynamically unstable systems. The presence of liquid crystals increases the stability of these dispersions and also change the viscosity. They are able to promote the encapsulation of active, allowing sustained release as well as the protection of photo-and thermo-sensitive drugs. Sunflower oil is an interesting phase in an oily emulsion, because it has healing properties due to the high concentration of linoleic acid, and antioxidant properties due to the presence of polyphenols and vitamin E. They have applications in different areas such as cosmetics, food, medicines and other vehicles. The objectives of this study were to develop stable emulsions containing liquid crystals from a mixture of sunflower oil (Helianthus annus L.) and mineral (mineral oil), characterize them and evaluate the influence of different fatty esters in the formation of liquid crystals. The formulations were developed using the method of diagram and ternary pseudo-diagram, from which we selected two formulations that have been demonstrated stable and presented as liquid crystals throughout the accelerated stability test. They were doped with polyphenols glycolic extracts and acid esters, and have been kept stable with liquid crystal. At the rheological characterization was observed pseudo-plastic flow and thixotropic, ideal for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Sunflower oil showed antioxidant activity even when heated to the emulsification process by the radical DPPHo method. The carbon chains of fatty esters used in cosmetics can influence the formation and maintenance of liquid crystals. In vivo tests showed that the formulations developed promoted prolonged increase in skin hydration and were not seen signs of skin irritation.

Background: Barrier creams are applied to the surface of the skin to form a barrier that aims to prevent the penetration of irritants and allergens through the skin surface. Several inconsistencies and controversies exist in literature regarding the effect that barrier creams may have on skin barrier function. Various skin surface parameters are used to evaluate the effect that the barrier creams have on skin barrier function. These parameters include transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin surface pH. Total skin thickness may be assessed as a variable on its own. Differences may exist in skin surface parameters when comparing African participants with Caucasian participants. Aim: The specific aim of this research was to evaluate the short-term1 effects of selected barrier creams on skin barrier function. Note 1: The words short-term are used in this study as each barrier cream is only tested over a period of 8 hours and not tested over a long term period of months or years. Method: Forty two non-smoking participants were included and tested in this study, of which 21 were African and the rest Caucasian. TEWL, skin hydration and skin surface pH were used to evaluate the differences in the effect of two different barrier creams (Reinol Solvgard and Momar Chex) on skin barrier function. TEWL was measured by making use of a closed chamber Vapometer (Deflin Technology Ltd., Kuopio, Finland), skin hydration using a Corneometer® CM 825 and skin surface pH using a pH meter probe (Courage and Khazaka Electronic Kӧln, Germany). A micro-pipette was used to drip a standard volume of 20 μl of ultrapure water on the skin surface before the researcher placed the pH meter probe onto the skin surface. Total skin thickness was measured by making use of ultrasound (Ultrascan 22 - TBS0061B) (Courage and Khazaka Electronic Kӧln, Germany). Three consecutive measurements were taken on the mid-forearm and the palm of the experimental arm. After baseline values were measured, 5 ml of the selected barrier cream was applied to the experimental arm. The barrier cream (selected for the day) was reapplied after 2, 4 and 6 hours and measurements were taken every 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. The total skin thickness was measured at time zero and at 8 hours. Results: TEWL: For both barrier creams, statistical significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between TEWL on the palms of African participants and Caucasian participants. Skin hydration: Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained with regard to mid-forearm skin hydration when comparing Reinol Solvgard with Momar Chex (this was applicable to both racial groups). A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained with regard to mid-forearm skin hydration when comparing African participants with Caucasian participants (this was only applicable to Reinol Solvgard). Statistical significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained with regard to skin hydration palm when comparing Reinol Solvgard with Momar Chex (this was applicable to both racial groups). Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained with regards to skin hydration palm when comparing African participants with Caucasian participants (this was applicable to both barrier creams). Skin surface pH: A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained with regard to pH of the mid-forearm when comparing Reinol Solvgard with Momar Chex (this was applicable to only the African participants). A statistical significance (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained with regards to skin surface pH mid-forearm when comparing African participants with Caucasian participants (this was applicable to Momar Chex barrier cream only). A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained with regards to the pH of the palm when comparing Reinol Solvgard with Momar Chex (this was only applicable to the African racial group). Conclusion: Using skin surface parameters, it can be concluded that Momar Chex barrier cream elicited more positive effects on skin barrier function than Reinol Solvgard barrier cream. This may be ascribed to the fact that both barrier creams lowered TEWL (positive effect), Reinol Solvgard lowered skin hydration (negative effect) whereas, Momar Chex increased the skin hydration (positive effect) and both barrier creams increased skin surface pH (negative effect). Furthermore, the objectives of this study were reached as (a) short-term effects on skin surface parameters were identified between African versus Caucasian participants, (b) significances were observed between the two barrier creams (Momar Chex and Reinol Solvgard) by making use of skin surface parameters and (c) general increases and or decreases were observed in skin surface parameters over a short term period of 8 hours. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Nickel is one of the most commonly known sensitisers and has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a possible carcinogen to humans (group 2B). Workers at a South African base metal refinery packaging area are potentially exposed to many hazardous chemicals that include nickel. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objectives of this study were to assess dermal and respiratory exposure of workers exposed to nickel in a packaging section at a South African base metal refinery and to assess the change in skin barrier function during a work shift by measuring percentage change in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin surface pH. Skin health was established with a skin questionnaire. Surfaces that workers may come into contact with were also assessed. Method: Respiratory and dermal exposure assessment was done concurrently. Respiratory exposure was assessed and analysed by using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 7300. The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) inhalable aerosol sampler was used for personal air sampling. The TEWL index, skin hydration and skin surface pH of the index finger, palm, forearm and forehead were measured before and at the end of the shift with a Derma Measurement Unit, EDS 12 and Skin-pH-Meter® pH 905. These measurements were reported as percentage change in skin barrier function during the shift. Dermal exposure samples were collected with Ghostwipes™ from the index finger and palm of the dominant hand before, during and at the end of the shift, while samples from the forearm and forehead were only collected before and after the shift. Surface sampling was collected and all wipes were analysed for nickel according the NIOSH method 9102, using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Results: Respiratory exposure for the whole group of workers in a packaging section was well below the eight hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) respiratory Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of 0.5 mg m-3 for nickel. Dermal nickel loading was detected for all the job categories on all the anatomical areas even before the shift had commenced. During the shift more nickel was detected on the index finger and palm of the hand. Levels on the forearm and forehead were much lower in comparison with the index finger and the palm of the hand. Workplace surfaces, which workers may come into contact with on a daily basis, were also contaminated with nickel. Forklift drivers showed high exposure on the index finger and palm of their hands, and this can be attributed to them not wearing any gloves for hand protection. An increase in percentage change for TEWL was seen for most of the job categories on all anatomical areas measured during the shift. Percentage change in skin surface pH and skin hydration varied among job categories. Conclusion: The research addressed the problem statement, with the stated objectives. It was hypothesised that workers at a packaging section of a base metal refinery are exposed to quantifiable levels of nickel through the dermal exposure route. The hypothesis was accepted and control measures together with future studies were recommended. The results confirmed that all workers at a base metal refinery are exposed to quantifiable levels of nickel through the dermal exposure route. Dermal exposure was evident on all anatomical areas for all job categories before the shift had commenced. Personal protective equipment was provided to all employees, but forklift drivers did not wear gloves when operating the forklift. Respirable exposure to nickel was below the OEL. Changes in TEWL and to a lesser extent skin hydration, suggest a deterioration in skin barrier function during the shift. Forklift drivers as well as plate washers may be the highest risk job categories in developing allergic contact dermatitis. Several measures to lower respiratory and dermal exposure to nickel are also recommended. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014