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Biomedical subjects

K Tarvainen

Publications and source records attributed to K Tarvainen.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Occupational contact allergy to unsaturated polyester resin cements.

6 men contracted occupational allergic contact dermatitis from unsaturated polyester (UP) cements. 4 of the men were employed in car repair painting and the remaining 2 in mold manufacturing. The exposure time to UP cements ranged from 6 to 32 years before onset of skin symptoms. All patients had eczema on their hands; in addition, 4 had skin symptoms on airborne areas, i.e., wrists, neck and face. All 6 patients developed allergic reactions when patch tested with UP resin at 0.5-10% in petrolatum (pet.). None of the tested patients reacted to auxiliary or cross-linking chemicals of the cements. Diethylene glycol maleate (DGM) was purified and identified from the UP resin of a cement. 1 patient reacting to UP resin was also patch test positive to DGM and he produced an allergic reaction to DGM down to a concentration of 0.0032% pet. DGM was found in both uncured and cured UP resin. None of the patients could continue their work with UP cements after their sensitization.

Adult↗

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by exposure to acrylates during work with dental prostheses.

Between 1974 and 1992, we were consulted by 4 patients (an orthodontist, 2 dental technicians and a dental worker trained in-house) who had developed occupational allergic contact dermatitis from working with dental prostheses. All patients had positive allergic patch test reactions to methyl methacrylate (MMA), the acrylate which is the most widely used in work with prostheses. All but the orthodontist also reacted to dimethacrylates, which are used in cross-linked dental prostheses. The last patient, investigated in 1992, had been exposed mainly to light-cured acrylics, which are similar in composition to dental composite resins. These acrylics, only recently introduced into prosthetic work, contain more potent acrylic sensitizers than MMA. Accordingly, dental personnel working with prostheses may face a higher risk of sensitization than previously. To detect cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, we suggest that patients working with dental prostheses should be patch tested with MMA, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethacrylates, epoxy acrylates and urethane acrylates.

Acrylic Resins↗

Exposure, skin protection and occupational skin diseases in the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics industry.

A total of 100 workers, 86 from the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (GRP) industry, 11 from polystyrene production and 3 from polyester resin coating manufacture, were examined for occupational skin hazards and for evaluation of skin protection. The workers had been exposed to many chemicals. Those working in the GRP industry had also been exposed to glass fibre and to dust produced by finishing work. 94% used protective gloves. 22 workers, all employed in the GRP industry, had contracted occupational skin disorders. 6 had allergic and 12 irritant contact dermatitis. 4 workers had an accidental injury caused by a peroxide catalyst, fire, hot air and constant mechanical friction. Allergic dermatoses were due to natural rubber (latex) (4 cases) in protective gloves, phenol-formaldehyde resin (1 case) and cobalt naphthenate (1 case). Irritant hand dermatoses (5 cases) were caused by the combined hazardous effect of unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester resins, organic solvents, glass fibre and dust from finishing work on the skin. Other cases of irritant dermatoses (7 cases) were due to the dust, promoted by mechanical friction of clothes. Skin disorders in the GRP industry were common (26%) but the symptoms were mild and only 3 patients had been on sick leave because of occupational skin disease.

Adult↗

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to coconut diethanolamide (cocamide DEA).

Coconut diethanolamide (CDEA), manufactured from coconut oil, is widely used as a surface-active agent in hand gels, hand-washing liquids, shampoos and dish-washing liquids. CDEA has rarely caused allergic contact dermatitis. During 1985-1992, we investigated 6 patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by CDEA. 2 became sensitized from a barrier cream, 3 from a hand-washing liquid, and 1 had been exposed both to a hand-washing liquid and to a metalworking fluid containing CDEA. Leave-on products (hand-protection foams) caused sensitization much more rapidly (2-3 months) than rinse-off products (hand-washing liquids; 5-7 years). Due to the extensive use of CDEA and the lack of proper declaration of products, it is difficult to avoid CDEA exposure. No contact allergy to another coconut-oil-derived sensitizer (cocamidopropyl betaine) was found in the patients.

Adult↗

Allergy and toxicodermia from shiitake mushrooms.

Skin and respiratory symptoms developed within 2 months of exposure in a patient involved in the commercial production of shiitake mushrooms. A diagnosis of contact urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis from shiitake mushrooms was confirmed by prick and patch tests. The respiratory symptoms, their timing, the presence of precipitating IgG antibodies to shiitake spores and increased amounts of inflammatory cells and T lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage indicated allergic alveolitis (mushroom worker's disease). A generalized exanthem developed in a second patient after eating raw shiitake mushrooms. Reactions to prick and patch tests with shiitake mushrooms were negative. The skin eruption in this patient corresponded to the previously reported shiitake-induced toxicodermia.

Adult↗

Allergy from cellulase and xylanase enzymes.

Modern biotechnical methods have enabled production of many new types of potentially allergenic proteins. Enzymes have long been known to be respiratory allergens, but relatively few cases of skin allergy have been reported. Here we describe four patients who developed occupational allergic respiratory symptoms, three with bronchial asthma and one with allergic rhinitis, caused by cellulase and/or xylanase enzymes. Each patient also had urticarial symptoms after skin contact with these enzymes. In addition, one of the patients had allergic contact dermatitis from cellulase, and one from xylanase. Allergic contact dermatitis was verified by positive patch tests with the enzymes, and the immediate allergy was revealed by skin prick tests, specific IgE determinations (RAST) and RAST-inhibition tests. All patients had positive RASTs to both cellulase and xylanase. In the RAST inhibition test 20 microliters of cellulase brought about a 94% inhibition, indicating the specificity of the RAST. Xylanase (20 microliters, 5% w/v) gave an 92% inhibition of cellulase RAST, indicating cross-reactivity between cellulase and xylanase. Three patients have been able to continue at their previous places of work, but at different worksites. One of the patients requires continuous medication for asthma and had to change her job because of persistent symptoms.

Adult↗

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by nitroglycerin.

Irritant contact dermatitis caused by occupational contact with nitroglycerin has been known since the end of the last century. Nitroglycerin is an allergen, and the transdermal drug delivery systems for nitroglycerin recently used to treat angina pectoris have sensitized. 4 patients with allergic contact dermatitis caused by nitroglycerin from explosives are described, and 1 patient who was sensitized by transdermal nitroplaster. On patch testing, dynamite and/or the explosive components nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate and dinitrotoluene gave allergic reactions. The following concentrations and vehicles are suggested for patch testing: nitroglycerin 0.5-2% pet., dinitrotoluene and ethylene glycol dinitrate 0.1-0.5% pet. Persons exposed to nitroglycerin at work should try to avoid skin contact by using protective gloves. It is advisable that those who have become allergic to nitroglycerin should wear disposable protective gloves when handling explosives.

Adult↗

Occupational dermatoses from epoxy resin compounds.

This study comprises 40 patients with skin disorders from current or previous occupational exposure to epoxy resin compounds (ERC) during 1984-1988. ERCs were the 3rd most common cause (32 of 264 cases: 12.1%) of currently relevant allergic contact dermatitis: 23 cases from epoxy resins based on the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA-ERs), 5 from reactive diluents, 1 from amine hardeners (DETA), and 3 from epoxy acrylates. 2 cases (0.8%) of irritant contact dermatitis were due to ERCs. Methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA, an epoxy hardener) caused 1 case of contact urticaria. Previously relevant occupational allergic contact dermatitis from DGEBA-ERs was detected in 5 cases. On patch testing, ERC allergens gave the following positive reactions: epoxy resin of the standard series in 35 cases (4.0% of 870 tested), epoxy reactive diluents in 10 (7.1% of 140), cycloaliphatic epoxy resins in 4 (11.1% of 36), epoxy acrylates in 4 (4.5% of 88), and amine compounds commonly used as epoxy hardeners in 17. Despite extensive patch test series, testing with patients' own ERCs remains important.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Epoxy dermatitis.

Dermatitis caused by exposure to epoxy resin compounds was observed in the 1950s, shortly after epoxy resins were introduced. Following a description of the chemistry and the use of epoxy compounds, the authors discuss delayed and immediate allergic epoxy dermatitis and irritant epoxy dermatitis as well as factors such as exposure and skin testing.

Dermatitis, Occupational↗