Marie-Louise Lind

Preservatives and fragrances in selected consumer-available cosmetics and detergents

Background. Preservatives and fragrances are important and frequent skin sensitizers, found in a wide range of products intended for personal and occupational use.

Incidence of hand eczema in female Swedish hairdressers

Objective: To estimate the occurrence of hand eczema in hairdressers in Sweden. Methods: The occurrence of hand eczema was estimated in a Swedish longitudinal retrospective cohort study including all female graduates from vocational schools for hairdressers from 1970 to 1995. A stratified sample from the general population acted as controls. A self-administered questionnaire including questions on the occurrence of hand eczema, skin atopy, working periods and number of hair treatments performed per week was sent to the participants. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of hand eczema were estimated. Results: The incidence rate of hand eczema in hairdressers was 23.8 cases/1000 person-years, whereas in hairdressers who were aged <25 years it was 37.1/1000 person-years. The corresponding IRR for hairdressers compared with controls was 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2 to 2.8), and that for younger hairdressers was 3.1 (95% CI 2.6 to 3.5). The mean age at onset of hand eczema was 21.6 years for hairdressers and 21.2 years for controls. The 1-year prevalence of hand eczema was 18.0% for hairdressers and 12.1% for controls. A large number of hair treatments involving exposure to skin irritants and sensitisers were reported. The incidence rate of hand eczema was higher among individuals with a history of childhood eczema, both for hairdressers and for controls, giving an (age-adjusted) IRR of 1.9 and 2.2, respectively. The attributable fraction of hand eczema from skin atopy was 9.6%. A synergistic effect of skin atopy and hairdressing was found on the occurrence of hand eczema. The relative excess risk due to interaction was 1.21 (95% CI 0.21 to 2.21; pu200a=u200a0.01). Conclusion: Hairdressers are highly exposed to skin-damaging substances. The self-reported incidence of hand eczema was substantially higher in female hairdressers than in controls from the general population and than that found previously in register-based studies. For many individuals, onset of hand eczema occurs early in life. Only about 10% of the hand eczema cases among hairdressers would be prevented if no one with skin atopy entered the trade.

Epoxy pipe relining—an emerging contact allergy risk for workers

Background. Epoxy pipe relining is a method of repairing old and worn water pipes supplying households. The method, using epoxy resin systems (ERSs), involves creating a new pipe inside an existing pipe. Large amounts of epoxy are normally handled at small, temporary worksites.

Severe occupational chromium allergy despite cement legislation

Severe occupational chromium allergy despite cement legislation Yolanda S. Hedberg1,2, Martin Gumulka3, Marie-Louise Lind1,3, Mihály Matura3 and Carola Lidén1,3 1 Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden, 2Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, Department of Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden, and 3Unit of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

Exposure of hairdressers to ortho- and meta-toluidine in hair dyes

Background Carcinogenic aromatic amines derived from hair dyes have recently received new attention. One of these is ortho (o)-toluidine, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans. Objectives To clarify exposure of hairdressers to potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines, including o-toluidine. Methods We measured eight potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines in the blood of 295 hairdressers, 32 users of hair dyes and 60 controls. The study was restricted to female non-smokers. Lifestyle data were collected for all participants using self-administered questionnaires. Blood samples were taken for analysis of ortho-, meta (m)- and para (p)-toluidine; 2-, 3- and 4-ethylaniline, 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylaniline as haemoglobin adducts. The samples were analysed with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results Generally, adduct concentrations were in the range of 0–200u2005pg/g haemoglobin. A comparison of the adduct concentrations found in hairdressers, consumers and controls showed no statistically significant differences. However, for hairdressers, o- and m-toluidine concentrations increased significantly with the weekly number of hair waving (p=0.020) and permanent hair dyeing treatments (p=0.026), respectively. o-Toluidine and m-Toluidine concentrations also tended (p=0.076 and 0.080, respectively) to increase with the frequency of light-colour permanent hair dye treatments. Conclusions Hairdressers who use light-colour permanent hair dyes, other permanent hair dyes and hair waving treatments seem to be exposed to o- and m-toluidine as indicated by associations with the number of treatments performed. Analyses of hair waving and hair dye products should be performed to identify the possible sources of exposure to o- and m-toluidine.

The influence of hydrogen peroxide on the permeability of protective gloves to resorcinol in hairdressing

Hairdressers are exposed to hair dye chemicals, for example resorcinol and hydrogen peroxide. Adequate skin protection is an important preventive measure against occupational skin disease.

Hairdressers' skin exposure to hair dyes during different hair dyeing tasks

The high risk of occupational skin disease among hairdressers, caused by skin exposure to irritants and sensitizers, such as hair dye substances, is of great concern.

0253 Hairdressers are occupationally exposed to ortho- and meta- toluidine

Objectives Hairdressing work is classified as carcinogenic based on excess risk for bladder cancer. We aimed at evaluating if current hairdressers are exposed to established/suspected bladder carcinogens (aromatic amines) and indicate possible sources of exposure. Method Hairdressing salons listed in the telephone book were contacted for personal visits, 295 hairdressers were recruited (an estimated half of the eligible invited subjects). For comparison we included 32 consumers and 60 controls employed at our hospital. The study was restricted to female non-smokers. Questionnaires including frequency of performed work tasks were filled in by the hairdressers, and all subjects reported personal hair dye use, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Blood samples were taken for analysis (gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; GC-MS/MS) of ortho (o)-, meta (m)-, and para (p)-toluidine; 2-, 3-, and 4-ethylaniline, 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylaniline as haemoglobin adducts. Results Adduct concentrations did not differ significantly between hairdressers, consumers and controls. However, for hairdressers, o- and m-toluidine concentrations increased with the weekly performed number of permanent hair dyeings (p = 0.026), and hair waving treatments (p = 0.020). o- and m-Toluidine concentrations also tended (p = 0.076 and 0.080, respectively) to increase with the frequency of light colour permanent hair dyeings. The results were not driven by personal hair dye use, or smoking (key subjects additionally evaluated for cotinine). Analysis of a randomly chosen hair waving product confirmed the presence of o-and m-toluidine. Conclusions Our observations indicate that hairdressers are currently exposed to an established (o-toluidine), and a suspected (m-toluidine), human carcinogen from permanent hair dyes (including light colours) and unexpectedly also from hair waving.