Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam

• Authors: Marta Kieć-Świerczyńska , Dominika Świerczyńska-Machura , Dorota Chomiczewska-Skóra , Ewa Nowakowska-Świrta , Beata Kręcisz

Abstracts

EN

Objectives: 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). Material and 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.

Keywords

EN

polyurethanes; isocyanates; 4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI); diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA); occupational contact dermatitis

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 196-205

Dates

published

2014

Contributors

author

Marta Kieć-Świerczyńska

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Dominika Świerczyńska-Machura

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Dorota Chomiczewska-Skóra

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Ewa Nowakowska-Świrta

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

author

Beata Kręcisz

• Department of Allergology and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-014-0249-9

Biblioteka Nauki

2178820