Occupational contact allergy to unsaturated polyester resin cements.
6 men contracted occupational allergic contact dermatitis from unsaturated polyester (UP) cements. 4 of the men were employed in car repair painting and the remaining 2 in mold manufacturing. The exposure time to UP cements ranged from 6 to 32 years before onset of skin symptoms. All patients had eczema on their hands; in addition, 4 had skin symptoms on airborne areas, i.e., wrists, neck and face. All 6 patients developed allergic reactions when patch tested with UP resin at 0.5-10% in petrolatum (pet.). None of the tested patients reacted to auxiliary or cross-linking chemicals of the cements. Diethylene glycol maleate (DGM) was purified and identified from the UP resin of a cement. 1 patient reacting to UP resin was also patch test positive to DGM and he produced an allergic reaction to DGM down to a concentration of 0.0032% pet. DGM was found in both uncured and cured UP resin. None of the patients could continue their work with UP cements after their sensitization.
Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
K
K
Tarvainen
R
R
Jolanki
T
T
Estlander
D000328:Adult; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008298:Maleates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D011091:Polyesters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D008298:Maleates; D011091:Polyesters; D012116:Resins, Plant; C081553:diethylene glycol maleate