James R. Nethercott

Skin problems associated with multifunctional acrylic monomers in ultraviolet curing inks.

Fifteen cases of contact dermatitis and three of irritant contact conjunctivitis due to multifunctional acrylic monomers in printing inks are described. Seven with dermatitis were sensitized to pentaerythritol triacrylate but evidenced no cross‐reactivity to methyl methacrylate. The other eight cases of dermatitis were irritant. Pentaerythritol triacrylate has been shown experimentally to be a cutaneous sensitizer for guinea‐pigs and man. Multi‐functional acrylates should be handled with minimal skin contact, to avoid cutaneous problems.

Contact dermatitis in hairdressers.

18 cases of hand dermatitis in hairdressers seen over a 5‐year period are reviewed. The diagnoses, in these patients are discussed with reference to other studies of hand dermatitis in hairdressers. Contact allergy due to paraphenylenediamine and related hair dyes was the presenting complaint in younger hairdressers, while formaldehyde allergy occurred in those who were older. The prognosis in the former group of workers with respect to continued employment in the trade tended to be poorer than the latter. Follow‐up revealed that hand dermatitis often resulted in the worker not continuing 10 work in Use hairdressing trade.

Results of routine patch testing of 200 patients in Toronto, Canada *

The results of patch testing in 200 patients in Toronto. Canada are presented, revealing that sensitivity to metal, rubber and cosmetic components account for the majority of positive epicutaneous reactions. Differences in the incidence of positive reactions between these patients and others reported elsewhere are discussed.

Health Status of a Group of Sewage Treatment Workers in Toronto, Canada

Fifty randomly selected workers in a sewage treatment plant using a heat treatment method for processing sewage sludge in Toronto, Canada were assessed. This investigation revealed that many workers reported influenza-like symptoms, cough, sputum production, wheezing, sore throat and skin complaints. The workers tended to have somewhat reduced lung function. Workers in the area of the plant where boiled sewage sludge was dried frequently reported an intermittent, acute illness characterized by cough, fever and sore throat. Workers in the area of the plant where the dried sludge was incinerated tended to have reduced lung function. The basis for the possible health effects demonstrated has not been established, and further investigation is suggested. The mean level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) detected in the workers serum was 6 +/- 5 ppb. The PCB levels could not be related to symptoms or clinical findings in the workers studied.

Occupational dermatitis in food handlers and bakers

Of 1346 patients with suspected contact dermatitis examined in Toronto, 10 bakers and 10 food handlers were found to have occupational contact dermatitis. Although not dissimilar in age, years in the trade, or length of illness, men were significantly overrepresented in the population of bakers (100% vs 40%, p less than 0.05). One baker had occupational asthma related to rye flour. Compared with the bakers, significantly more of the food handlers had allergic contact dermatitis (70% vs 20%, p less than 0.05). In addition to food components, cinnamates and rubber were found to be causes of allergic response. One food handler had contact urticaria caused by shellfish. The standard screening tests, combined with the use of contactants specific to occupational history, yielded a definitive determination of the existence of a contact allergy in our subjects.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to a biocide containing 5‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐4‐isothiazohn‐3‐one

3 cases of contact allergy due to the biocides 5‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐4‐isothiazolin‐3‐one and 2‐methyl‐4‐isothiazolin‐3‐one are reported 2 workers exposed to a soluble oil containing these 2 biocides experienced allergic contact dermatitis from them. The 3rd case was that of the chemist who separated the 2 materials for the execution of this Investigation. These compounds are chemically related to the biologically active components of Ectimar, Skane M‐8 and Proxel CRL. Further instances of contact allergy due lo these and related compounds are likely because of the apparently increasing use of such substances as antimicrobial agents in various commercial products.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to an epoxy acrylate

A printer developed allergic contact dermatitis due to epoxy acrylate resin. Incomplete cross‐reactivity between four epoxy acrylate resins and a lack of cross‐reactivity to epoxy resin was demonstrated. The epoxy acrylate resin has been shown to be a potent cutaneous sensitizer for the guinea‐pig.

Airborne contact urticaria due to sodium benzoate in a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant

Three workers exposed to airborne contact with sodium benzoate (SB) in a pharmaceutical plant developed transient urticaria related to skin contamination with SB. Patch test responses to SB and benzoic acid (BA), without occlusion, were similar to those of three previously unexposed controls in keeping with the nonimmunologic nature of the reaction. Sweating, which lowers skin pH and increases topical BA concentration, appeared to increase the susceptibility to urticaria in two of the three workers. Ventilation and hygiene control methods designed to reduce SB skin contamination eliminated the problem in the workplace.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to nonylphenol ethoxylate (Nonoxynol-6) *

The non‐ionic emulsifier “nonoxynol‐6” found in an industrial waterless hand cleanser induced allergic contact dermatitis on the upper extremities of a uranium mill maintenance worker. The chemical is an irritant for the rabbit. It was not shown to be a cutaneous sensitizer for the albino guinea pig using the guinea pig maximization test.

Wood Dust and Formaldehyde Exposures in the Cabinet-Making Industry

Time-weighted average (TWA) personal total and respirable dust exposures were determined gravimetrically for 48 subjects in 4 cabinet-making plants. TWA personal formaldehyde exposures also were obtained, with the use of 3M 3750 passive monitors. Selective area sampling for formaldehyde was undertaken using two methods. The results obtained with the passive monitors were compared to the standard chromotropic acid impinger method. Considerable variation was noted in the dust exposures. Cabinet-makers exposed to softwoods were found to have a mean exposure of approximately one half of the current applicable ACGIH TWA-TLV, while hard-wood exposure was twice the applicable TWA-TLV. The highest dust exposures were recorded for those workers sanding, the mean total dust being 2.91 mg/m3 (S.E. 0.70) and respirable dust 0.63 mg/m3 (S.E. 0.20). Sanding operations also were found to produce a higher proportion of respirable dust (22%) than other woodworking operations (6%-14%). Workers in assembly areas also were found to have higher dust exposures, likely reflecting the fact that conventional dust collection devices for stationary woodworking equipment are not appropriate for hand held tools and hand sanding. The importance of making respirable dust measurements is discussed. The poor correlation between paired total and respirable dust concentrations indicates that both measurements should be made. Some potential limitations to respirable wood dust sampling using 10 mm nylon cyclones are noted, however. Area dust concentrations were found to be significantly lower than personal exposures, emphasizing the importance of personal sampling data. Formaldehyde vapor exposures were very low, with a mean of 0.06 ppm (S.E. 0.01).