As a parallel project to a coronary risk factor survey in northern Norway, 14,667 men and women aged 18-55 years answered questions concerning the occurrence of allergic hand eczema. 364 men (4.9%) and 961 women (13.2%) had had allergic hand eczema during the previous 12 months. 49 men (0.7%) and 105 women (1.4%) claimed to have had one or more sick leaves because of hand eczema during the preceding 3 years. 114 subjects reported both eczema last year and sick leave during the preceding 3 years, of whom 74 were already registered in the files of the regional department of dermatology. The majority had irritant contact dermatitis. The incidence of hand eczema appears to be high in this part of Norway and the possibility that the subarctic climate may increase skin irritancy is discussed.