Can simultaneous contact allergies to phenyl glycidyl ether and epoxy resins of the bisphenol A/F-types be explained by contamination of the epoxy resins?
BACKGROUND
Simultaneous contact allergies to epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA-R) or epoxy resins of the bisphenol F-type and the reactive diluent phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) have been reported. The reason might be cross-reactivity, exposure to an epoxy resin system with PGE as a component, or contamination by PGE in the epoxy resin.


OBJECTIVE
To study contamination by PGE, 20 commercial epoxy resins were analysed for the presence of PGE. To study contact allergy to PGE and its relation to epoxy resins by inserting PGE in the standard series.


RESULTS
Among 2227 patients, 7 reacted to PGE. Of 23 (30%) patients, 7 with contact allergy to DGEBA-R and 7/19 (37%) with contact allergy to an epoxy resin of the bisphenol F-type reacted to PGE. All 7 patients with contact allergy to PGE reacted both to the DGEBA-R and to the epoxy resin of the bisphenol F-type. PGE was found in 90% of the investigated resins. The amounts of PGE ranged between 0.004% w/w and 0.18% w/w.


CONCLUSIONS
Most probably, the presence of PGE as a contaminant in epoxy resins is of minor importance for the sensitization, but possibly the contamination of PGE might elicit contact dermatitis in individuals with a high reactivity to PGE.
Pontén
Ann
A
Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, SE-20502 Malmö, Sweden. ann.ponten@skane.se
Zimerson
Erik
E
Bruze
Magnus
M
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D000485:Allergens; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds; C423722:bisphenol F diglycidyl ether