Contact allergy to epoxy resins
D. Swierczynska-Machura*, M. Kiec-Swierczynska, B. Krecisz
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland,
Background
Epoxy resins are used in many branches of industry. Both epoxy resins themselves and their additives, such as hardeners, plasticizers, reactive diluents and pigments can cause allergy. The goal of the study was to estimate the sensitization to epoxy resins themselves and their components, and also the analysis of changes in frequency of this hypersensitivity.
Methods
5604 patients examined in 1984-2001 for suspected occupational dermatitis. All of them were patch-tested with the European Standard series, epoxy series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Malmö, Sweden), and additionally with phthalic anhydrate, N-phenylenediamine, dibutyl phthalate and maleic anhydrate (E. Jaworski, Katowice, Poland).
Results
160 persons (2.8%) were allergic to epoxy resins. In 154 cases allergy was of occupational etiology (bricklayers, platelayers – 17.5%: fitters, turners, machinist millers – 13.8%; plastics molders – 13.1%; laminators -11.3%; electrical equipment assemblers – 10.6%; painters – 10.0%).
The largest number of positive patch tests (77.5% of epoxy-allergic persons) contributes to the epoxy resins themselves. This was followed by triethylenetetramine (23.1%), ethylenediamine (13.1%), phthalic anhydride (8.1%), diethylenetetramine (6.9%) and phenylglycidylether (6.2%).
Conclusion
Having compared the frequency of allergy to components of epoxy resins in the years 1984-1993 and 1994-2001, it was found that allergy to resin, reactive diluents and plasticizers was on increase, whereas allergy to amines and acid anhydrides hardeners was on decrease.
Content last modified: 21 May 2005
