Skin exposure to epoxy chemicals in construction coating, assessed by observation, interviews, and measurements.

Background: Epoxy resin systems (ERSs) are among the leading causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis.

Objectives: To identify riskful exposures and sources of skin exposure, and to quantify skin exposure to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy monomer, in construction coating work.

Methods: Skin exposure to epoxy chemicals was studied in 5 coating companies through (a) interviews and visual observation, (b) quantifying DGEBA on 12 workers' skin by tape-stripping, (c) measuring DGEBA on 23 surfaces by wipe-sampling, and (d) quantifying DGEBA in new sewage pipe.

Testing Penetration of Epoxy Resin and Diamine Hardeners through Protective Glove and Clothing Materials.

Efficient, comfortable, yet affordable personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed to decrease the high incidence of allergic contact dermatitis arising from epoxy resin systems (ERSs) in industrial countries. The aim of this study was to find affordable, user-friendly glove and clothing materials that provide adequate skin protection against splashes and during the short contact with ERS that often occurs before full cure. We studied the penetration of epoxy resin and diamine hardeners through 12 glove or clothing materials using a newly developed test method.

Occupational contact dermatitis caused by aniline epoxy resins in the aircraft industry.

Background: Tetraglycidyl-4,4'-methylenedianiline (TGMDA) is an aniline epoxy resin used in, for example, resin systems of pre-impregnated composite materials (prepregs) of the aircraft industry. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by TGMDA in prepregs has been described previously.

Objectives: To report on 9 patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by TGMDA in epoxy glues used in helicopter assembly.

Contact allergy to reactive diluents and related aliphatic epoxy resins.

Background: Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin (DGEBA-R) is the most common sensitizer in epoxy systems, but a minority of patients also develop contact allergy to reactive diluents.

Objectives: To analyse the frequency and clinical relevance of allergic reactions to different epoxy reactive diluents and related aliphatic epoxy resins.

Methods: Test files (January 1991 to June 2014) were screened, and the clinical records of patients with allergic reactions were analysed for occupation, concomitant allergic reactions, and exposure.

Role of dermal exposure in systemic intake of methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) among construction and boat building workers.

The causal relationship between inhalation exposure to methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and the risk of occupational asthma is well known, but the role of dermal exposure and dermal uptake of MDI in this process is still unclear. The aims of this study were to measure dermal exposure to and the dermal uptake of MDI among workers (n=24) who regularly handle MDI-urethanes. Dermal exposure was measured by the tape-strip technique from four sites on the dominant hand and arm.

A new penetration test method: protection efficiency of glove and clothing materials against diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).

Reported cases of allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) have increased and thereby increased the need for adequate skin protection. Current standardized permeation and penetration test methods give information about efficacy of protective materials against individual components of the polyurethane systems. They do not give information of what kind of clothing materials workers should wear against splashes when handling mixed MDI-polyurethane formulations, which contain MDI, its oligomers, and polyols.

Occupational contact dermatitis caused by D-limonene.

Background: Limonene is widely used as a fragrance substance and solvent in cleansing products. Oxidized limonene is a frequent contact allergen among consumers of cosmetics, personal care products, and scented household cleaning products. Less is known about the sources of occupational exposure and occupational contact dermatitis caused by limonene.

Contact allergy to epoxy hardeners.

Background: Diglycidylether of bisphenol A resin is the most important sensitizer in epoxy systems, but a minority of patients develop concomitant or solitary contact allergy to epoxy hardeners. At the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, several in-house test substances of epoxy hardeners have been tested in a special epoxy compound patch test series.

Objectives: To analyse the frequency and clinical relevance of allergic reactions to different epoxy hardeners.

Permeation tests of glove and clothing materials against sensitizing chemicals using diphenylmethane diisocyanate as an example.

Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) is a sensitizing chemical that can cause allergic contact dermatitis and asthma. Protective gloves and clothing are necessary to prevent skin exposure. Breakthrough times are used for the selection of chemical protective gloves and clothing.

Screening occupational contact allergy to bisphenol F epoxy resin.

Background: Epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) are widely used as such in applications requiring chemical resistance, and also together with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin (DGEBA-R). Concomitant patch test reactions to DGEBA-R and DGEBF resin (DGEBF-R) are common. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results on the frequency of independent DGEBF-R contact allergies.

Triphenyl phosphite, a new allergen in polyvinylchloride gloves.

Background: Contact allergy to polyvinylchloride (PVC) gloves has been reported relatively seldom. In spring 2011, 5 of our patients had patch test reactions to PVC gloves. We obtained a collection of PVC raw materials from industrial producers and suppliers of chemical compounds to be patch tested on patients with suspected PVC glove contact allergy.

Occupational contact allergy to monomeric isocyanates.

Background: The monomeric isocyanates diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) are used in polyurethane products and sometimes cause contact allergy.

Objectives: To describe patients with isocyanate contact allergy in an occupational dermatology clinic.

Methods: Test files were screened for allergic reactions to isocyanates and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA).

Occupational asthma related to low levels of airborne methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in orthopedic casting work.

Orthopedic plaster casts contain methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). A few case reports have suggested occupational asthma to MDI in casting work. However, the knowledge of the exposure levels related to the occupational asthma cases is lacking.

Occupational methacrylate and acrylate allergy--cross-reactions and possible screening allergens.

Background: Acrylic resin monomers, especially acrylates and methacrylates, are important occupational allergens.

Aims: To analyse patterns of concomitant patch test reactions to acrylic monomers in relation to exposure, and to suggest possible screening allergens.

Patients/methods: We reviewed the patch test files for the years 1994-2009 at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health for allergic reactions to acrylic monomers, and analysed the clinical records of sensitized patients.

Contact allergy to epoxy (meth)acrylates.

Background: Contact allergy to epoxy (meth)acrylates, 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy) phenyl]propane (bis-GMA), 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-acryloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-GA), 2,2-bis[4-(methacryl-oxyethoxy)phenyl] propane (bis-EMA), 2,2-bis[4-(methacryloxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-MA), and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is often manifested together with contact allergy to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin.

Objective: To analyse patterns of concomitant allergic reactions to the five epoxy (meth)acrylates in relation to exposure.

Methods: We reviewed the 1994-2008 patch test files at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) for reactions to the five epoxy (meth)acrylates, and examined the patients' medical records for exposure.

[Occupational asthma in a structure nail maker].

Chemicals that may cause allergy are being used in structure nails. In this case report two structure nail makers are described, who were diagnosed with occupational asthma in clinical studies. The studies included an inhalational exposure simulating the work.

Analysis of allergens in metalworking fluids.

Background: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are well-known causes of occupational contact dermatitis in machinists.

Objective: To gain information about skin sensitizers in MWFs and to compare it with the information in safety data sheets (SDSs).

Methods: A total of 17 samples of MWF concentrates were analysed for skin sensitizers known or suspected to be used in MWF.

Occupational asthma caused by sculptured nails containing methacrylates.

Background: In recent decades, the use of artificial nails including methacrylates (MAs) has increased. This study presents the first two clinical cases of occupational asthma (OA) caused by sculptured nails containing MAs.

Methods: In both cases, OA was diagnosed on the basis of a work simulation test combined with the patient's history of occupational exposure and respiratory symptoms.

Respiratory exposure to components of water-miscible metalworking fluids.

Water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWFs) are capable of causing respiratory symptoms and diseases. Recently, much emphasis has been put on developing new methods for assessing respiratory exposure to MWF emulsions. The air concentrations of ingredients and contaminants of MWF and inhalable dust were measured in 10 metal workshops in southern Finland.

1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in disposable polyvinyl chloride gloves for medical use.

Background: Benzisothiazolinone is used as a slimicide in the manufacture of disposable powder-free polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves. We recently reported 6 patients from dentistry and health care probably sensitized to benzisothiazolinone in PVC gloves.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate how widely disposable PVC gloves for medical use on the Finnish market in 2006 contain benzisothiazolinone and to report new cases from 2 clinics in Helsinki.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from 2-N-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.

2-N-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT) is an antimicrobial agent that is mainly used in industrial settings. The objective of the study was to find the significance of OIT contact allergy at our clinic of occupational dermatology. We looked through our patient material from 1991 for allergic reactions to OIT and analysed the clinical records.

Determination of occupational exposure to alkanolamines in metal-working fluids.

Overall exposure to alkanolamines in metal-working fluids (MWFs) in machine shops was studied by determining alkanolamines in air samples and in rinse-off samples from the hands of machinists. Methods for collecting airborne alkanolamines and alkanolamines absorbed to the skin of the hands were developed and tested. The exposure measurements were carried out in nine machine shops.