Occupational Contact Allergy to Components of Epoxy Resin Systems: Descriptive and Comparative Epidemiological Analyses Based on IVDK Data 2008-2022.

BACKGROUND

Epoxy resin systems (ERS) frequently cause occupational allergic contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze and update sensitization frequencies to epoxy resin, reactive diluents and hardeners in patients with occupational dermatitis (OD).

METHODS

Retrospective descriptive and comparative analysis of data collected by the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) from OD patients patch tested with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) epoxy resin, 2008-2022.

RESULTS

DGEBA sensitization declined overall, with fluctuations, from 4.2% in 2008-2010 to 2.9% in 2020-2022 (p = 0.0014). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were highest for plastics processors (11.7; 95% CI, 8.1-16.6), bricklayers, cement and concrete workers (6.4; 5.1-8.0), and painters/varnishers (5.3; 4.0-6.9). DGEBA-positive patients were most frequently co-sensitised to the reactive diluents 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether (43.6%), 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (35.7%), and phenyl glycidyl ether (30.8%), and to the hardener m-xylylenediamine (22.7%). DGEBA testing alone would not have identified 446 patients (1.9% of all DGEBA-tested OD patients) with sensitizations to reactive diluents or amine hardeners.

CONCLUSIONS

If contact allergy to ERS components is suspected, not only DGEBA, but also reactive diluents and hardeners should be patch tested. Prevention should prioritise exposure control, occupational hygiene, ongoing surveillance, and periodic test series updates.