Berufs-Dermatosen最新文献

Twenty cases of occupational dermatoses caused by isocyanates, especially diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and tri-isocyanate-triphenylmethane are reported. The handling of patch test substances is described. Personal in test laboratories have to be considered as persons at risk. Findings give some evidence for cross-sensitization between MDI and the corresponding diamine diaminodiphenylmethane. Moreover, it is supposed that MDI may give rise to cross-sensitization to p-phenylene diamine and chemically related compounds.

Allergenicity of benzylisothiocyanate and group-allergic cross reactions. Comparative patch-test series made in pateints suffering from contact dermatitis induced by Sulbentin (Dibenzthion)-antimycotics and in guinea pigs, experimentally sensitized to benzylisothiocyanate (BITC), showed: BITC is a potent contact sensitizer and the real hapten in cases of Sulbentin-allergy. Of special importance in this molecule is the benzyl-group. Neither 4,4-diphenylmethandiisocyanate and isophorondiisocyanate (substances used in polyurethane production) nor the closely related methylisothiocyanate (decomposition product of some potato-selecting agents) produced any groupallergic cross reactions in the above-mentioned patients and guinea pigs.

56 builder's labourers manipulating lime cement applied a protective cream on their hands and 57 used a placebo in a double blind test of two months' duration. The labourers, the doctors who surveyed the condition of their hands, and the statistician who analyzed the results knew only that one cream had a blue label, and the other a green one. Before and after the test, the presence or the absence of certain symptoms on the hands were objectively examined, while the subjective opinion of the labourers was registered at the end of the test. As usual in tests of that kind, the great majority of the labourers (more than 75%) were satisfied, 62% of them acknowledged an improvement. That percentage justified a comparative double-blind study that revealed a much higher quota (86% of the test persons) of satisfaction among the labourers treated with Ivosin than in the placebo group (66%). That difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, no objective difference could be revealed between the two groups. It was impossible to discover among the symptoms studied, any objective cause of that subjective difference.

A survey is given of the actual causes of occupational dermatoses and the variation in their incidence in a series of 4,529 patients seen at the out-patient clinic for skin diseases in the Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, and its precursor, during the 27-year period from 1946 to 1972. The overall incidence was highest for alkalis and detergents, cement, oil of turpentine and other solvents. Due to the increased use of synthetic resins in recent years a rise was seen in the frequency of eczema caused by these substances. Nevertheless, eczema due to rubber chemicals has also increased. The decreased incidence of turpentine eczema reflects its reduced use. In 45% of the cases the diagnosis was verified by positive epicutaneous tests. Of the 8,057 patients admitted because of a suspected occupational skin disorder, a non-occupational skin disease was diagnosed or the occupational origin remained unproved in 3,528 cases. The most important differential diagnoses and the differences in the location of the skin changes in the non-occupational as compared with the occupational group are discussed.

An epithelioma of the volar face of the right index caused the death of a stomatologist whose skin had been exposed to X-rays for many decades when keeping dental films in place. The casuistics of the clinical picture are dealt with, and arguments are given for its recognition as an occupational disease. The evaluated X-rays dose (the accumulated dose was approx. 2,100 rem, i.e. relatively low) and modern knowledge on radio-medicine are commented with regard to dose-effect relationship.

The authors report a case of skin allergy to Fitzroya cupressoides (Alerce), and describe the phytochemical classification of that tropical tree. The method of detection of this skin allergy is detailed.

In workers occupied with the production of paratertiary butylphenol, a hepatosplenopathy and a goiter with disorder of the synthesis of thyroid hormone have been observed for the first time besides the well-known vitiliginous depigmentation. It is supposed that paratertiary butylphenol has a systemic effect and causes lesions of various organic systems.

The sensitizer in epoxy resins may be the actual resin, the hardeners, the reactive diluents or the additives. An epoxy-reactive diluent, Epoxide No. 8, recently introduced on the Swedish market, and described by the manufacturer as nonsensitizing was checked for allergenicity by "the guinea pig maximization test". Judging from the results, Epoxide No. 8 in the guinea pig test was even more allergenic than butylglycidyl ether, another reactive diluent known to be a human skin sensitizer. The potential allergenicity of Epoxide No. 8 was also indicated by the fact that butylglycidyl ether, cresylglycidyl ether and epoxy resin elicitated positive reactions in animals sensitized to Epoxide No. 8.

Occupational contact dermatitis caused by rubber chemicals is described in two groups of patients. The first group consisted of personnel from the operating rooms of a university hospital. In 12 persons the contact allergic reactions appeared to be mainly due to rubber chemicals of the thiuram group of compounds. The second group consisted of cattle farmers. In 6 persons patch tests could be performed. The main cause of the rubber contact on the farms appeared to be the milking machine. The antioxydants in the heavy duty rubber of these machines are of the paraphenylenediamine group of compounds. Positive patch tests were found to N-phenyl-N' -cyclohexylparaphenylenediamine (CPPD) and to the closely related N-phenyl-N'-isopropylparaphenylenediamine (IPPD). Their use in rubber of milking machines in Europe is based on the german "Mitteilungen aus dem Bundesgesundheitsamt" which permits the incorporation of IPPD in these kind of rubber parts to a percentage of 1,5%.