Pesticide-related dermatitis in Saku district, Japan, 1975-2000

Cases of dermatitis caused by pesticide exposures (n = 394), tabulated by the Division of Dermatology, Saku Central Hospital, Japan, from 1975 to 2000 are described. Dermatitis cases gradually decreased from 1975 to 2000, presumably accelerated by the phase-out of dermatitis-causing pesticides, including difolatan fungicide and salithion, an organophosphorous insecticide. Cases of chronic and solar dermatitides gradually decreased, which may be explained by reductions in the use of allergenic or photosensitive sulfur agents and organophosphates. However, the ratios of chemical burns from irritant pesticides-calcium polysulfide, dazomet, methyl bromide, chlorpicrin, paraqat/diquat, organophosphorus, quintozene, and glyphosate-rose in those years. Chemical burns from calcium polysulfide were responsible for most of the severe cases.