title: Occupational contact dermatitis caused by 1,3-benzenedimethanamine, N-(2-phenylethyl) derivatives in hardeners for epoxy paints and coatings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amines in epoxy hardeners are significant causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis among workers who use epoxy resin systems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel group of contact allergens: N-(2-phenylethyl) derivatives of the reactive amine 1,3-benzenedimethanamine (1,3-BDMA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the clinical examinations and exposure of 6 patients with occupational contact allergy to derivatives of 1,3-BDMA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 6 patients, 4 were spray painters who used epoxy paints, 1 was a floor layer who handled a variety of epoxy coatings, and 1 was a worker in epoxy hardener manufacture. We were able to confirm exposure to epoxy hardeners that contained derivatives of 1,3-BDMA in 5 of the 6 sensitized patients. Despite the close structural resemblance between derivatives of 1,3-BDMA and m-xylylenediamine (MXDA), only 3 patients reacted positively to MXDA. Concomitant contact allergy to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin was seen in 2 of the 6 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the lack of a commercially available patch test substance, the diagnosis of contact allergy to derivatives of 1,3-BDMA requires patch testing with either the epoxy hardener product or a hardener ingredient that contains the derivatives of 1,3-BDMA.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, 00251, Finland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pesonen
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, 00251, Finland.
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kuuliala
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, 00251, Finland.
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suomela
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, 00251, Finland.
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aalto-Korte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001596:Benzylamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests
chemical_list: D001596:Benzylamines; D004853:Epoxy Resins
keywords: CAS no. 1477-55-0; CAS no. 404362-22-7; contact allergy; curing agent; epoxy hardener; m-xylylenediamine; painters