BACKGROUND In Korea, the only case of occupational erythema multiforme was found to be due to Bolivian rosewood, but there has been no case due to occupational chemicals in the manufacturing industry. Here, we report a case of erythema multiforme caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine(DCB) in a dye worker. CASE REPORT: We report a 43-year-old male worker manifesting erythema multiforme-like skin lesions during the DCB synthesis, The patient's dermatitis was relieved when he avoided the process, and it became aggravated when he restarted his work. Patch and prick tests confirmed positive irritant reactions to two chemicals. CONCLUSION This case was diagnosed as erythema multiforme based on clinical manifestations. Symptoms worsened upon exposure to chemicals while avoiding exposure improved symptoms. Skin test results showed that dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine induced irritant reactions. We assume that erythema multiforme occurring in workers is an occupational skin disease likely caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine.
OBJECTIVES This study investigated occupational contact dermatitis in a tire factory, prompted by a long history of complaints of skin ailments by the factory workers. METHODS Participants (n=160) completed a questionnaire concerning job characteristics and skin symptoms, and received a medical examination. Fifty-four workers with suspected work-related contact dermatitis were chosen for a patch test of contact-related dermatitis. RESULTS The most frequent positive reactions of patch test were produced by diphenylguanidine, formaldehyde and cobalt. Twenty-one of the 54 individuals (38.9%) were judged to have work-related skin disease. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to natural and synthetic rubbers and additive materials pose a risk of contact dermatitis in a tire manufacturing environment. Improved sanitary work practices and public health awareness measures are suggested.
BACKGROUND Epoxy resin compounds are one of the common causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. In Korea, most cases of allergic contact dermatitis from epoxy resin compounds have been caused by the epoxy resin itself. We report a rare case of allergic contact dermatitis which was caused by epichlorohydrin, an ingredient of epoxy resin and 2,4,6-tris-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (tris-DMP), a kind of hardeners. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old man, who had worked at the epoxy resin glue manufacturing factory since 1999, presented with mild and intermittent erythematous papules and rashes on his face, neck, trunk, and both arms. He was dealing with epoxy resin, epichlorohydrin, bisphenol A and hardeners. After a new hardener was added in August 2008, his skin lesions worsened from what he had experienced in the past. A skin patch test was performed to identify the causative chemicals of the skin lesion. Epichlorohydrin and tris-DMP elicited positive reactions after 48 hours and increased after 96 hours. CONCLUSION This case confirmed occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by epichlorohydrin and tris-DMP, an ingredient of epoxy resin and a hardener, respectively.
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A systematic review of pure metals reinforced plastic composites Adewale George Adeniyi, Joshua O. Ighalo Iranian Polymer Journal.2021; 30(7): 751. CrossRef
Occupational Skin Diseases in Korea Yeon-Soon Ahn, Min-Gi Kim Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S46. CrossRef
OBJECTIVES We report an outbreak of skin disorder in semiconductor packing workers. Through an evaluation of the degree of work-relatedness in this case, we aim to develop a method to overcome such health problems in the workplace. METHODS A questionnaire investigating the job characteristics and skin symptoms was administered to 51 packing workers working in a semiconductor production factory and 49 questionnaires returned. The 16 subjects in the exposure group and 12 in the non-exposure group underwent doctor's examination and patch test. Two of 28 subjects were excluded in patch test. We investigated the work environment and carbon fiber level which was the potential causative agent. RESULTS Forty-five (91.8%) of 49 packing workers complained of itching and stinging. Three of 14(21.4%) in the exposure group and 3 of 11 (27.3%) in the non-exposure group were positive at 48hr reading of patch test for carbon fiber and carbon fiber paper. None was positive at 96hr reading of patch test. Prominent carbon fibers were microscopically observed on the surface of the packing box and the fiber diameter, measured up to 6.0~7.5 micrometer, was likely to induce skin irritation to skin. To avoid worker's direct contact with to carbon fiber, carbon fiber paper box was substituted by a wax coated carbon fiber paper box was substituted for the original carbon fiber paper box, which caused and the workers' symptoms to of workers disappeared. CONCLUSION The probably cause of this outbreak of skin disorder was mild irritant contact dermatitis for carbon fiber. To prevent outbreaks of such occupational skin disorder like this, workers should avoid direct contact with carbon fiber.
OBJECTIVES A dermatologic outbreak occurred in a factory usingliquid waste mixtures at Gyeongju. We conducted this study to identify causative factors. METHODS We conducted a questionnaire interview composed of general andjob characteristics. A dermatologist carried out medical examination, European standard patch test and 'as is' patch test. We evaluated the cases with over 5 criteria of Mathias's 7 definitions of occupational dermatologic diseases. RESULTS Seven of 9 workers were diagnosed with dermatosis and 3 subjects (cases 2, 4 and 6) with Mathias's 7 criteria were confirmed as having occupational dermatologic diseases and were diagnosed as irritant contact dermatitis. Two subjects (cases 1 and 9) with over 5 criteria were evaluated as suspicious status. The remaining 2 subjects (cases 3 and 5) were not compatible with those criteria. The main sources of this outbreak were suggested to be the wasted solvents in the factory of car accessories and aluminum products because the subjects (cases 2, 4, 6, 1 and 9) had the positive skin reaction against those sources in 'as is 'patch test. Furthermore, 4 of the 5 subjects cases 2, 4, 6 and 9) had some skin reactions against the waste solvents of chemical material in 'as is'patch test. CONCLUSION This outbreak occurred by direct skin contact of liquid waste mixtures of a factory making car accessories and aluminum products. The cutting oils and metal working fluids in those liquid waste mixtures were estimated as the most suspected materials. In addition, this outbreak may have been caused by the hazard effect of mixed waste organic solvents of manufacturing of chemical materials.
BACKGROUND Woods are capable of causing allergic or irritant contact dermatitis which typically occurs on exposed areas. Because Bolivian rosewood exclusively contains the strong sensitizer R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione, an increasing number of cases of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis has been reported. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old, male, wood worker, who handled a variety of woods, developed allergic contact dermatitis. A patch test confirmed a positive reaction to one of the exotic woods, Bolivian rosewood. Allergens found in Bolivian rosewood caused this patient's dermatitis, which cleared when he avoided this wood. CONCLUSION Exotic woods such as Bolivian rosewood can induce occupational contact dermatitis. Measures to lower the incidence of work-related dermatitis are needed in the workplace. Especially, when cutting or sanding woods, workers should wear proper personal protection.
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Occupational Skin Diseases in Korea Yeon-Soon Ahn, Min-Gi Kim Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S46. CrossRef