Occupational Contact Allergy to Components of Epoxy Resin Systems

BACKGROUNDEpoxy resin systems (ERS) frequently cause occupational allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVESTo analyze and update sensitization frequencies to epoxy resin, reactive diluents and hardeners in patients with occupational dermatitis (OD).

METHODSRetrospective descriptive and comparative analysis of data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) from OD patients patch tested with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) epoxy resin, 2008-2022.

RESULTSDGEBA sensitization declined overall, with fluctuations, from 4.2% in 2008-2010 to 2.9% in 2020-2022 (p = 0.0014). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were highest for plastics processors (11.7; 95% CI, 8.1-16.6), bricklayers, cement and concrete workers (6.4; 5.1-8.0), and painters/varnishers (5.3; 4.0-6.9). DGEBA-positive patients were most frequently co-sensitised to the reactive diluents 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether (43.6%), 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (35.7%), and phenyl glycidyl ether (30.8%), and to the hardener m-xylylenediamine (22.7%). DGEBA testing alone would not have identified 446 patients (1.9% of all DGEBA-tested OD patients) with sensitizations to reactive diluents or amine hardeners.

CONCLUSIONSIf contact allergy to ERS components is suspected, not only DGEBA, but also reactive diluents and hardeners should be patch tested. Prevention should prioritise exposure control, occupational hygiene, ongoing surveillance, and periodic test series updates.

Abstract from PubMed