Contact allergy to epoxy resins plastics based on materials collected by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
Kieć-Swierczyńska, M.; Krecisz, B.
Medycyna Pracy 54(2): 145-148
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0465-5893 PMID: 12923997 Document Number: 558990
Of the 5604 patients examined in 1984-2001 for suspected occupational dermatitis, 160 persons (2.8%) showed allergy to epoxy resins plastics. Allergy was more frequent in men (4.9%) than in women (1.2%); in 154 persons, allergy was of occupational etiology (in a group of 160 patients with allergy to epoxy resins, the following proportions were observed: 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%). 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. In a group of 13 chemical compounds entering into the composition of epoxy resins, epoxy resin contributed to the largest number of positive patch tests (77.5% of epoxy-allergic persons). This was followed by triethylenetetramine (23.1%), ethylenediamine (13.1%), phthalic anhydride (8.1%), diethylenetetramine (6.9%) and phenylglycidylether (6.2%). In addition, three patients reacted to both epoxy resin and cycloaliphatic resin.