[Contact allergy caused by formaldehyde, based on materials from the Institute for medical occupations in Lodz].

Incidence of formaldehyde allergy was analysed in 3,705 subjects with dermatitis and in 1,530 subjects with allergic dermatitis examined within the last fifteen years. Rates of increase or decrease in relative risk during that period was analysed in women, in men and in the whole group. In the whole material no differences in the incidence of allergy according to sex were found. Among women allergic to formaldehyde, dermatitis was found in 4.5 per cent and allergic dermatitis in 11.6 per cent. Among men the per cent was equal to 4.6 and 10.5, respectively. A significant upward tendency was found in the risk of formaldehyde allergy in men. The main sources of occupational allergies were: disinfectant agents, end-use finish and cloth dyes, cutting fluids and plastics.