Abstract
Batik, an intangible cultural heritage from Indonesia, is made through a complicated process of drawing liquid wax, with a special tool called a canting, onto a piece of cloth.
Four steps must be followed to produce batik, which can be repeated multiple times depending on the number of colors desired in the finished piece of handmade or printed batik.
Batik processing requires some supplies that act as irritants or allergens. In addition to affecting the skin, some supplies may produce fumes that also may be health hazards.
Colors distinguish the origin of batik among regions in Indonesia. The use of dye, either natural or synthetic, is essential, and contact dermatitis due to dyes is common. Determining the color that is the cause is difficult because a color usually consists of a mixture of different dyes.
Among the skin disorders, contact dermatitis, either irritant or allergic, is common. Health hazards in batik factory workers are also related to environmental conditions.
Results of a field survey showed that skin disorders correlate with the length of exposure. Personal hygiene and use of personal protective devices can prevent skin disorders.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
De Groot AC (1986) Patch testing. Test concentration and vehicles for 2800 allergens patch testing. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 28–139
Giusti F, Seidenari S (2003) Disperse dye dermatitis: clinical aspects and sensitizing agents. Exog Dermatol 2:6–10
Hamzuri (1994) Classical batik. Djambatan, Jakarta, pp 21–33
Hatch KL (2003) Textile dyes as allergic contact allergens. In: Elsner P, Hatch K, Wigger-Alberti W (eds) Textiles and the skin, vol 31, Current problems in dermatology. Karger, Basel, pp 139–155
ImcCabe E (2004) Batik. Periplus Ed, Singapore, pp 50–9
Lestari F, Sutojo US, Pudjiastuti W et al (2007) Health risk assessment among batik workers. Presented at Asia Pacific symposium on current issues in public health in Indonesia, Jakarta
Niken I (2007) Natural dyes used in traditional batik processing (in Indonesian). Presented in the annual meeting of the Indonesian society of dermatovenereology, Surabaya
Rietschel RL, Fowler JF (1995) Fisher’s contact dermatitis. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 379–387
Shalock PC, Zug KA (2007) Protection from occupational allergens. In: Schliemann S, Peter E (eds) Skin protection, vol 34, Current problems in dermatology. Karger, Basel, pp 58–75
Slodownik D, Nixon R (2007) Occupational factors in skin diseases. In: Thur E (ed) Environmental factors in skin diseases, vol 35, Current problems in dermatology. Karger, Basel, pp 173–189
Soebaryo RW (1995) Occupational dermatoses in textile industry (in Indonesian). Presented at the scientific meeting of the Indonesian medical association for occupational health, Malang
Soebono H et al (1995) Occupational dermatoses among batik workers. A preliminary report (in Indonesian). Presented at the Indonesian scientific meeting of the on occupational skin disease, Jakarta
Susanto SKS (1980) The art of batik (in Indonesia). Batik and Art Centre. Ministry of Trade, Indonesia, pp 5–23
Widodo S (2009) Influence of several factors on the occurrence of contact dermatitis in coloring section in batik factory (in Indonesian). Thesis – Medical Fac., University of Diponegoro, Semarang
Wigger-Alberti W, Elsner P (2003) Occupational contact dermatitis in the textile industry. In: Elsner P, Hatch K, Wigger-Alberti W (eds) Textiles and the skin, vol 31, Current problems in dermatology. Karger, Basel, pp 114–122
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank Dr. Windy Keumala Budianti, dermatologist, for preparing the photographs.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Soebaryo, R.W. (2012). Batik Manufacturing Workers. In: Rustemeyer, T., Elsner, P., John, SM., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Kanerva's Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02035-3_124
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02035-3_124
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-02034-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-02035-3
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine