title: Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate sensitization to chemicals present in work environment after an outbreak of contact dermatitis in workers of vehicle equipment factory, exposed to polyurethane foam, based on 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).
  
  
  METHODS
  From among 300 employees, 21 individuals reporting work-related skin and/or respiratory tract symptoms underwent clinical examination, patch testing, skin prick tests, spirometry and MDI sIgE measurement in serum. Patch tests included isocyanates series, selected rubber additives, metals, fragrances, preservatives, and an antiadhesive agent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical examination revealed current eczema in the area of hands and/or forearms in 10 workers. Positive patch test reactions were found in 10 individuals, the most frequent to diaminodiphenylmethane and 4-phenylenediamine (7 persons). Reactions to an antiadhesive agent were assessed as irritant (5 workers). Except for sensitization to common aeroallergens, no significant abnormalities were found in the remaining tests. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 7 workers, irritant contact dermatitis in 10 and coexisiting allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in 3 workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In workers manufacturing products from polyurethane foam, attention should be paid to the risk of developing contact dermatitis. Skin problems in our study group were attributable probably to insufficient protection of the skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kieć-Świerczyńska
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Swierczyńska-Machura
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chomiczewska-Skóra
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nowakowska-Świrta
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kręcisz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000633:toxicity; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000633:toxicity*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D011140:Polyurethanes; C028279:polyurethane foam; C009505:4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; C029728:4-phenylenediamine