Marie-Noëlle Crépy

Rubber: new allergens and preventive measures

Natural rubber latex (NRL) and rubber accelerators are well-known causes of occupational skin diseases. The latest epidemiological data on rubber allergy show that rubber additives are still among the allergens most strongly associated with occupational contact dermatitis, however, a decrease in NRL allergy has been confirmed. A review of recent publications on rubber allergens based on the Pubmed database is presented. New glove manufacturing processes have been developed, such as low-protein natural rubber gloves, vulcanisation accelerator-free gloves, or specific-purpose gloves containing antimicrobial agents or moisturisers. Several websites provide information on allergens found in gloves and/or glove choice according to occupation.

Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by isothiazolinones in water-based paints: a retrospective study of 44 cases

Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by paints containing isothiazolinones has been recognized as a health hazard.

Skin diseases in musicians

Instrumental musicians are a risk group for skin diseases. A systematic review was performed on Pubmed database and in the musical literature. Most publications on dermatoses in musicians are case reports. The exact prevalence of skin diseases in musicians is unknown but high rates have been reported. The most at-risk musicians are percussionists, string and wind instrumentalists. Repeated physical trauma is a frequent cause of skin conditions in musicians (callosities, fiddler’s neck syndrome...). The allergens most often reported in musicians’ allergic contact dermatitis are metals (nickel, dichromate), exoticwoods and cane reed components, colophony and propolis. The key preventive measures are early management of the skin disease, specific tests and avoidance of the causative allergens, together with better adjustment of playing techniques to reduce trauma.

Extended documentation for hand dermatitis patients : Pilot study on irritant exposures

Irritant exposure may be a contributory cause or the sole cause of (occupational) hand dermatitis. However, the documentation of irritant exposures in clinical practice is not standardized.

Patch testing with rubber series in Europe : A critical review and recommendation

Rubber additives constitute an important group of contact allergens, particularly in certain occupations.

Tricresyl phosphate in polyvinylchloride gloves: a new allergen

Marie-Noëlle Crépy1,2, Eddy Langlois3, Sandrine Mélin3, Alexis Descatha1, Lynda Bensefa-Colas2, Anne-Marie Jonathan1 and Jacques Ameille1 1Department of Occupational Health, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Raymond Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France, 2Department of Occupational Health, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Cochin, 75014 Paris, France, and 3 Institut national de recherche et sécurité, Analytical Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

Facial leucoderma following eczema: a new case induced by spectacle frames

Conflicts of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts. As well as being widely used as casting resins in the production of plastic materials, phenol formaldehyde resins are also present in lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. p-tert-Butylcatechol (PTBC) is a strong contact sensitizer that is a component of p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resins (PTBF). PTBC is also used as an antioxidant to stabilize other monomers in the production of plastics and rubber. Here, we describe a case of allergic contact dermatitis followed by leucoderma caused by the use of spectacle frames, with sensitization and exposure to phenolic

Pilot study on a new concept of documenting the clinical relevance of patch test results in contact dermatitis patients

Assessment of the clinical relevance of patch test reactions is an essential part of the diagnostic work‐up of patients with (occupational) contact dermatitis. However, final diagnostic information, particularly the clinical relevance of allergic patch test reactions, has hitherto been ill‐represented in clinical documentation systems (patch test software) and surveillance registries based on these.

Has application of the decree banning the use of cement with a high chromium VI content led to a reduction in occupational cement dermatitis in salaried workers in the construction industries

INTRODUCTION Active employees in the construction industry are particularly exposed to occupational cement eczema (OCE) which affects the hands in 80 to 90% of cases. The importance of OCE in France and the impact of the application of decree n(o). 2005-577 on 26 May 2005 were estimated from data collected by the Occupational risks division of the French national health insurance fund for salaried workers (CNAMTS). This decree prohibits the placing on the market and use of cement (and preparations containing it) with a chromium VI content above 0.0002% in order to reduce its hazardousness. METHODS All cases of OCE reported to and recognized by the CNAMTS between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008 among construction workers were selected. The following parameters were noted in each case: age, gender, industrial sector concerned, local French National health insurance agency, causal agent and the number of working days lost. The incidence per 100,000 salaried workers could be determined from the total number of salaried workers followed up by occupational medicine as well as those working in the construction industry. RESULTS For the five years studied, 3698 cases of occupational eczema (OE) were reported in construction workers and this was 17.1% of the total number of cases of OE for all salaried employees (n=12.689). Cement was the causal agent most frequently involved in the construction sector (57.8%, 2139/3698). The annual incidence of OCE decreased from 37.8 to 21.1 new cases per 100,000 employees in the construction industry per year between 2004 and 2008. The total number of days lost from work due to OCE decreased by 39% during the study period. CONCLUSION This descriptive study highlights the importance and socio-economic impact of OCE in the construction industry. Application of decree n(o). 2005-577 on 26 May 2005 may explain a reduction in OCE.

L’application du décret interdisant l’utilisation de ciments à forte teneur en chrome VI, a-t-il entraîné une diminution des dermatoses professionnelles au ciment chez les travailleurs salariés du bâtiment et des travaux publics ?

INTRODUCTION Active employees in the construction industry are particularly exposed to occupational cement eczema (OCE) which affects the hands in 80 to 90% of cases. The importance of OCE in France and the impact of the application of decree n(o). 2005-577 on 26 May 2005 were estimated from data collected by the Occupational risks division of the French national health insurance fund for salaried workers (CNAMTS). This decree prohibits the placing on the market and use of cement (and preparations containing it) with a chromium VI content above 0.0002% in order to reduce its hazardousness. METHODS All cases of OCE reported to and recognized by the CNAMTS between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008 among construction workers were selected. The following parameters were noted in each case: age, gender, industrial sector concerned, local French National health insurance agency, causal agent and the number of working days lost. The incidence per 100,000 salaried workers could be determined from the total number of salaried workers followed up by occupational medicine as well as those working in the construction industry. RESULTS For the five years studied, 3698 cases of occupational eczema (OE) were reported in construction workers and this was 17.1% of the total number of cases of OE for all salaried employees (n=12.689). Cement was the causal agent most frequently involved in the construction sector (57.8%, 2139/3698). The annual incidence of OCE decreased from 37.8 to 21.1 new cases per 100,000 employees in the construction industry per year between 2004 and 2008. The total number of days lost from work due to OCE decreased by 39% during the study period. CONCLUSION This descriptive study highlights the importance and socio-economic impact of OCE in the construction industry. Application of decree n(o). 2005-577 on 26 May 2005 may explain a reduction in OCE.