[Contact allergy to epoxy resins plastics based on materials collected by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine].
Of the 5604 patients examined in 1984-2001 for suspected occupational dermatitis, 160 persons (2.8%) showed allergy to epoxy resins plastics. Allergy was more frequent in men (4.9%) than in women (1.2%); in 154 persons, allergy was of occupational etiology (in a group of 160 patients with allergy to epoxy resins, the following proportions were observed: bricklayers, platelayers--17.5%; fitters, turners, machinist millers--13.8%; plastics molders--13.1%; laminators--11.3%; electrical equipment assemblers--10.6%; painters--10.0%). Having compared the frequency of allergy to components of epoxy resins in the years 1984-1993 and 1994-2001, it was found that allergy to resin, reactive diluents and plasticizers was on increase, whereas allergy to amines and acid anhydrides hardeners was on decrease. In a group of 13 chemical compounds entering into the composition of epoxy resins, epoxy resin contributed to the largest number of positive patch tests (77.5% of epoxy-allergic persons). This was followed by triethylenetetramine (23.1%), ethylenediamine (13.1%), phthalic anhydride (8.1%), diethylenetetramine (6.9%) and phenylglycidylether (6.2%). In addition, three patients reacted to both epoxy resin and cycloaliphatic resin.
Kieć-Swierczyńska
Marta
M
Przychodni Chorób Zawodowych Instytutu Medycyny, Łodzi. marswier@imp.lodz.pl
Krecisz
Beata
B
D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010328:Patch Tests; D011044:Poland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D004853:Epoxy Resins