title: Contact allergy to epoxy resin: risk occupations and consequences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epoxy resin monomers are strong skin sensitizers that are widely used in industrial sectors. In Denmark, the law stipulates that workers must undergo a course on safe handling of epoxy resins prior to occupational exposure, but the effectiveness of this initiative is largely unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of contact allergy to epoxy resin monomer (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; MW 340) among patients with suspected contact dermatitis and relate this to occupation and work-related consequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dataset comprised 20 808 consecutive dermatitis patients patch tested during 2005-2009. All patients with an epoxy resin-positive patch test were sent a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive patch test reaction to epoxy resin was found in 275 patients (1.3%), with a higher proportion in men (1.9%) than in women (1.0%). The prevalence of sensitization to epoxy resin remained stable over the study period. Of the patients with an epoxy resin-positive patch test, 71% returned a questionnaire; 95 patients had worked with epoxy resin in the occupational setting, and, of these, one-third did not use protective gloves and only 50.5% (48) had participated in an educational programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 1% prevalence of epoxy resin contact allergy is equivalent to reports from other countries. The high occurrence of epoxy resin exposure at work, and the limited use of protective measures, indicate that reinforcement of the law is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. Nanban01@geh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Nannie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bangsgaard
authors.forename: Jacob Pontoppidan
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.forename: Torkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
authors.forename: Klaus Ejner
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Charlotte G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mortz
authors.forename: Evy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sommerlund
authors.forename: Niels Kren
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Veien
authors.forename: Grete
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laurberg
authors.forename: Knud
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaaber
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thormann
authors.forename: Bo Lasthein
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danielsen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avnstorp
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Ove
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vissing
authors.forename: Niels Henrik
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Jeanne Duus
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D010328:Patch Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D004853:Epoxy Resins; C019273:bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds