Downward trend of sensitization to glyceryl monothioglycolate in German hairdressers. IVDK study group. Information Network of Departments of Dermatology.
BACKGROUND
Due to a high incidence of cases of (occupational) sensitization to glyceryl monothioglycolate (GMT), products containing this compound were withdrawn from the German market some 8 years ago.


METHODS
We analyzed the data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology in Germany which included 1, 336 hairdressers who had been tested with GMT (1% in petrolatum) between 1992 and 1998.


RESULTS
The proportion of hairdressers reacting positively to GMT fell from initially 45% in 1992 to less than 20% in 1997 and 1998.


CONCLUSIONS
This most likely reflects the above-mentioned preventive action.
Uter
W
W
Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Germany. wuter@rz.uni-osnabrueck.de
Geier
J
J
Schnuch
A
A
D000485:Allergens; D001505:Beauty Culture; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005989:Glycerides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence
D000485:Allergens; D005989:Glycerides; C033769:glyceryl monothioglycolate