Occupational sensitization to epoxy resins in Northeastern Italy (1996-2010)

Occupational Health Injuries and Illness Among Women Workers in the Chemical Industry: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The number of women in the chemical industry has recently increased due to more women pursuing science careers. It is necessary, therefore, to analyze the emerging health risks for female workers in the chemical industry. This study examines the relationship between occupational health and sex/gender in the chemical industry, with a gender perspective.

METHODS

We present a scoping review (n = 97). After removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, we selected 27 articles published in the last decade that explored the industry's occupational risks.

FINDINGS

Most of the papers include predominantly male samples and describe adult populations, mainly from developed countries. The studies focus on various employment contexts of chemical industries. We identified health risks in oncology, dermatology, and the respiratory system, among others. We found that particular emphasis was given to the relationship between occupational exposure and cancer, especially breast cancer. Furthermore, we observed sex/gender differences in the prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders. These results highlight the need to consider specific sex/gender-based health risk factors in the chemical industry.

CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

The chemical industry is considered a crucial health determinant, however, the studies focused on sex/gender-based differences without considering gender-specific physiology and work circumstances. Although some studies do mention sex/gender disparities, such as occupational rhinitis, which is more frequent in women, studies are scarce. The absence of a segregated analysis with a gender perspective could lead to the ignorance of emerging health risks for female workers, highlighting the urgent need to include a gender perspective in future research.

Occupational contact allergy: The European perspective-Analysis of patch test data from ESSCA between 2011 and 2020

BACKGROUND

Occupational skin diseases have led the occupational disease statistics in Europe for many years. Especially occupational allergic contact dermatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and low healing rates leading to an enormous burden for the affected individual and for society.

OBJECTIVES

To present the sensitization frequencies to the most relevant allergens of the European baseline series in patients with occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) and to compare sensitization profiles of different occupations.

METHODS

The data of 16 022 patients considered having OCD after patch testing within the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA) network between January 2011 and December 2020 were evaluated. Patients (n = 46 652) in whom an occupational causation was refuted served as comparison group.

RESULTS

The highest percentages of OCD were found among patients working in agriculture, fishery and related workers, metal industry, chemical industry, followed by building and construction industry, health care, food and service industry. Sensitizations to rubber chemicals (thiurams, carbamates, benzothiazoles) and epoxy resins were associated with at least a doubled risk of OCD. After a decline from 2014 onwards, the risks to acquire an occupation-related sensitization to methyl(chloro)isothiazolinone (MCI/MI) and especially to methylisothiazolinone (MI) seem to increase again. Sensitization rates to formaldehyde were stable, and to methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) slightly decreasing over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Among allergens in the European Baseline Series, occupational relevance is most frequently attributed to rubber accelerators, epoxy resins and preservatives.

Prevalence of skin sensitization and dermatitis among epoxy-exposed workers in the wind turbine industry

BACKGROUND

A high prevalence of skin sensitization and dermatitis has been reported among workers exposed to epoxy components.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the risk of skin sensitization and dermatitis among workers exposed to epoxy components during production of wind turbine blades while using comprehensive safety measures.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 180 highly epoxy-exposed production workers and 41 nonexposed office workers was conducted at two wind turbine blade factories in Denmark. Participants underwent a skin examination, were tested with a tailored patch test panel including epoxy-containing products used at the factories, and answered a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Sixteen production workers (8·9%) were sensitized to an epoxy component compared with none of the office workers. Skin sensitization was more frequent within the first year of exposed employment. Strong selection bias by atopic status was indicated. Among nonatopic workers, the prevalence of dermatitis was higher among production workers (16·4%) than among office workers [6·5%, odds ratio (OR) 2·3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·6-9·1] and higher among the sensitized workers (43·8%) than the nonsensitized workers (14·6%, OR 4·5, 95% CI 1·6-12·7). Resins based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and F were the most frequent sensitizers. One of the four workers sensitized to epoxy components used at the factories did not react to the epoxy resin of the TRUE test^® panel.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite comprehensive skin protection, sensitization and dermatitis are prevalent among highly epoxy-exposed workers in the wind turbine industry in Denmark. Our findings document the need for intensified preventive efforts and emphasize the importance of tailored patch testing. What is already known about this topic? Epoxy components are well-known sensitizers of the skin. A high prevalence of skin sensitization and dermatitis has been reported among workers exposed to epoxy components. Comprehensive protective equipment is recommended when working with epoxy components. What does this study add? Despite comprehensive skin protection, skin sensitization and dermatitis are prevalent among epoxy-exposed workers. We found that 40% of workers sensitized to epoxy products had dermatitis. Only 75% of the sensitized workers were detected by the epoxy resin of the TRUE test^® , which emphasizes the importance of tailored testing.

Contact Dermatitis in Construction Workers in Northeastern Italian Patch Test Database Between 1996 and 2016

BACKGROUND

Contact dermatitis in construction workers (CWs) is frequent due to the widespread exposure to sensitizing substances and irritating agents and the wet and cold working conditions.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to evaluate contact dermatitis characteristics among CWs who underwent patch test in northeastern Italy and to identify related allergens.

METHODS

Seven hundred ninety-five CWs were studied and their data were compared to 2.099 male white-collar workers. The associations between patch test results and occupations were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Incidence data were calculated from 1996 to 2016.

RESULTS

CWs with confirmed occupational dermatitis presented an increased risk to be sensitized to potassium dichromate [OR 3.1 (95%IC 2.0-4.8)], to thiurams [OR 8 .6 (95%IC 4.0-18.4)], and to epoxy resins [OR 12.7 (95%IC 6.1-26.4)]. Sensitization to chromate decreased significantly after 2004, following EU regulation of chromate content in concrete, while sensitization to epoxy resins and thiurams increased. The overall incidence of occupational contact dermatitis in CWs decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of EU regulations in reducing chromate sensitization in CWs and the overall incidence of occupational contact dermatitis. However, sensitization to other haptens is increasing, though improvement of protective measures is compulsory.

Occupational contact allergy of construction workers in Greece: Trends during 2009-2018

BACKGROUND

Recent trends in the sensitization of construction workers show a decrease in potassium dichromate and an increase in epoxy resin sensitization.

OBJECTIVES

To present the trends of occupational contact allergy of construction workers in Greece from 2009 to 2018.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients with eczema patch tested in our Contact Dermatitis Clinic who were construction workers.

RESULTS

A total of 191 construction workers initially reported contact dermatitis. Of these, 138 had occupation-relevant allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) or irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). All patients were men. After being patch tested, 98 (71.0%) were diagnosed with ACD and 40 with ICD. Median duration of occupation till onset of ACD was 2 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.8-7). The hands were the most common location for ACD (73.5%), followed by the trunk (39.8%), the legs (38.8%), and the face (11.2%). Of the patients, 74.6% had lesions affecting multiple body sites. Potassium dichromate (67%) was the most frequent allergen, followed by thiuram mix (37.4%) and cobalt chloride (31.8%). Sensitization to epoxy resins was lower (12.1%).

CONCLUSION

The sensitization pattern of Greek construction workers does not follow the trends in Central or Northern Europe, rather sharing attributes with less industrialized countries.

Prevalence of Self-reported Allergic Diseases and IgE Levels: A 2010 KNHANES Analysis

PURPOSE

The prevalence of allergic diseases is known to be associated with both demographic and environmental factors. Herein, we aimed to determine significant factors associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases and with total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in Korea.

METHODS

We analyzed unweighted data collected by the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2,342 subjects who underwent serum tests for tIgE and sIgE to Dermatophagoides farinae, dog, and Blattella germanica, representing a sample of 16,003,645 citizens, by considering the sample weight and stratification.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases was 37.6%. The prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis decreased with age, whereas the asthma prevalence was not affected by the age of the subjects. When analyzed according to the type of allergic diseases, the prevalence of self-reported allergic disease was significantly associated with various factors (e.g. age, occupation, living in urban areas, and depression). The tIgE level decreased with age, but later increased. Elevation of tIgE was significantly associated with male sex, type of occupation, obesity, and smoking status. However, the risk factors for the increased sIgE levels to each allergen were quite different. Sensitization to D. farinae was more likely in young subjects, whereas the prevalence of sensitization to B. germanica was significantly higher in subjects with male sex, residing in a house (houses), and with glucose intolerance. Finally, young age and the smoking status were significantly associated with sensitization to dog.

CONCLUSIONS

Various demographic and environmental factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases and the levels of tIgE and sIgE to D. farinae, B. germanica, and dog in Korea.

Worldwide trends in incidence in occupational allergy and asthma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent improvements in the methods for analyzing trends in occupational health surveillance and the prospect of future improvements in the collecting and sharing of electronic data alongside increasing availability of linked datasets make this a good time to review the existing literature on trends in occupational allergy and asthma (OAA).

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a notable lack of reports of recent trends in OAA in the academic literature and much of the published work comes from European countries. The incidence of OAA appears to be declining based on physician-reporting or recognized compensation claims for the countries with published data. However, we need to be cautious in interpreting this as a decline in the 'true' incidence of OAA. Few of the studies adjusted appropriately for changes in the population at risk and one of the most robust study designs showed no change in the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in contrast to the other studies.

SUMMARY

Many existing datasets have the potential to be used to examine trends, and studies from Canada show the potential of using linked databases for surveillance. We hope that this review will encourage improvements in the analysis, and more dissemination, of trends.

Sensitization to Formaldehyde in Northeastern Italy, 1996 to 2012

BACKGROUND

Formaldehyde is a widely used organic compound, used in several applications (hard thermoset resins, adhesives, disinfectants, tissue fixatives, etc), in its free form or released by formaldehyde releaser products. Its use is under control due to its toxic, carcinogenic, and allergenic properties.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of formaldehyde sensitization, time trend, and correlation to occupations.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional study on a population of 23,774 patients tested from 1996 to 2012 in Northeastern Italy.

RESULTS

Frequency of sensitization was 3.3%, without any significant time trend. Hands (39.8% overall) and face (25.6% females, 15.5% males) were mainly involved. We found a trend toward decrease by age in females (3.11% in first quintile [14-26 years], 2.29% in fifth quintile [59-97 years], P < 0.01). On a logistic regression analysis (control group: white-collar workers), we found associations in health care (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.81), wood (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.30-3.51), and textile (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.14-2.79) sectors and professional drivers (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.05-3.60). We found a high rate of cosensitization to formaldehyde in patients with positive patch test reactions to quaternium-15 (OR, 18.7; 95% CI, 12.6-27.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Sensitization to formaldehyde is relevant in our population, especially in the health care sector, wood and textile industries, and professional drivers. No significant time trend was found.

Comparison of IgG against plastic resin in workers with and without chemical dermatitis

BACKGROUND

There are many chemical sensitizers which cause allergy in the surrounding environment. However, the identification of substances causing allergy is difficult. We developed a new method to detect IgG which reacts against many kinds of chemical-human serum albumin (HSA) adducts at the same time. In this study, the diagnostic significance of the IgG was studied among workers of a company where a mass outbreak of chemical dermatitis had occurred after changing a plastic resin to a new one.

METHODS

Eleven workers who handled the new plastic resin and suffered from dermatitis (case) and 9 workers who also handled the same resin in the same company but were free from dermatitis (control) were the subjects. Immunological dot blotting was carried out to detect serum IgG using originally prepared diagnostic antigens, comprising a mixture of HSA and the plastic resin or its components under various conditions.

RESULTS

IgG against the plastic resin in use was detected in all workers who suffered from dermatitis. The prevalence of the IgG against the plastic resin was significantly higher in workers with than in those without dermatitis. On the other hand, IgG against its components (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, m-xylylenediamine and butyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether) was detected in a few workers with dermatitis.

DISCUSSION

This suggests that IgG against chemical-HSA adduct reflects not only exposure but also causative chemicals of dermatitis. Our method to use a material itself as a hapten is practical and useful in the occupational field.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that IgG against chemicals is a useful marker of chemicals inducing dermatitis.