Concomitant contact allergy to the resins, reactive diluents and hardener of a bisphenol A/F-based epoxy resin in subway construction workers.
An outbreak of suspected contact dermatitis among subway construction workers was suspected to be due to a new bisphenol A/F-based epoxy resin system (ERS). The construction workers used ERSs during the insertion of iron bars into concrete walls. The objective of the study was to determine the components (if any) of the ERS responsible for the contact allergy. Patch testing was performed on 20 of the 22 construction workers who had had contact with the ERS, and to the various subcomponents of component A on 5 of the 7 who reacted to this component. 9 patients (9/22, 40.9%) had clinical symptoms and signs of suspected contact dermatitis at presentation. 7 of these 9, but none of the 11 asymptomatic individuals, were positive to component A, while all were negative to component B. Of the 5 cases receiving further patch testing, all reacted to m-xylylene diamine, 4 to 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, 3 to epoxy resins of the bisphenol F-type and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether 0.25% petrolatum, and only 1 to epoxy resins of the bisphenol A-type. Contact allergy to ERSs may involve hardeners and diluents as well as resins, and patch testing for reaction to all components should be performed.
Chu
Chia-Yu
CY
Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Pontén
Ann
A
Sun
Chee-Ching
CC
Jee
Shiou-Hwa
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds