title: Determinants of epoxy allergy in the construction industry: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workers exposed to epoxy products are at risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare workers throughout the German construction industry with and without skin allergy to epoxy resins, hardeners, and/or reactive diluents, and to investigate which determinants are related to the development of epoxy allergy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was completed by 179 epoxy allergy cases, and 151 epoxy workers as controls. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the use of backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis. A multiple imputation approach was used to deal with missing data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epoxy allergy was associated with an unusually high level of exposure to epoxy products [OR 2.13 (95%CI: 1.01-4.51)], wearing short sleeves or short trousers [OR 2.38 (95%CI: 1.03-5.52)], and not always using the correct type of gloves [OR 2.12 (95%CI: 1.12-4.01)]. A monotonic increasing risk was found with increasing exposure hours per week [OR 1.72 (95%CI: 1.39-2.14)]. Not using skin cream was inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.22 (95%CI: 0.08-0.59)]. Years working with epoxy products were inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.41 (95%CI: 0.27-0.61) per 10-year increase], suggesting a healthy worker survivor effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational epoxy allergy may be prevented by improving occupational hygiene behaviour and personal protection.
authors.affiliation: Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, NL-3508TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.|Arbouw, P.O. Box 213, NL-3840AE, Harderwijk, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ton
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spee
authors.affiliation: Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, NL-3508TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.affiliation: Berufsgenossenschaft für die Bauwirtschaft, Hungener Straße 6 D-60389, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rühl
authors.affiliation: Berufsgenossenschaft für die Bauwirtschaft, Hungener Straße 6 D-60389, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kersting
authors.affiliation: Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, NL-3508TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dick J J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Heederik
authors.affiliation: Division Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, NL-3508TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lidwien A M
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060389:Construction Industry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004853:Epoxy Resins
keywords: epidemiology; occupational; occupational hygiene behaviour; prevention