Contact Dermatitis 1997: 37: 40 powders at room temperature. He noted urticaria within hours of exposure to them, which evolved into eczema after 1-2 days. Working in a fume cupboard, and wearing gloves and a laboratory coat did not prevent the skin lesions. After several months, he also started to develop mild respiratory symptoms at work. Withdrawal from laboratory work led to complete resolution of the skin lesions. He had no past history of skin disease or atopy, and no other laboratory staff were similarly affected.Patch testing to the European standard series showed allergic reactions to paraphenylene-diamine (D2 ++, D4 +)and caine mix (D2 +, D4 +),and a series of facial allergens were negative. Patch testing with the organic chemicals showed the following results:The purity of both chemicals was confirmed to be greater than 99%. Patch testing was negative in 20 control patients. CommentThe risk of contact allergy from novel or uncommon organic substances is unknown, and we have been unable to find any previous reports of allergic contact dermatitis from 1-( 4-(2-chloroethyl)phenyl)-2-chloroethanol. Our patient had additional symptoms suggestive of immediate-type hypersensitivity, although he was not prick tested. The widespread nature of his eruption could have been due to airborne spread of the fine powder. The rei-SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 4-(2-chloroethyl )phen) lchloromethyl ketone H4·(2·chloroethyl )phenyl )·2-chloroethanol Fig. I.evance of his allergic reactions to caine mix and paraphenylenediamine was undetermined. Recent advances have taken place in understanding how low molecular weight molecules react with skin proteins to form complete allergens, and the reactive chemical groups of common contact allergens have been identified (2). Computer-based expert systems are being developed in an attempt to predict the sensitization hazard of new compounds, based on the presence of structural alerts for chemical reactions and factors that modulate them. Analysis with the expert system DEREK (3) showed that both chloroalkyl groups m 1-( 4-(2-chloroethyl)phenyl)-2-chloroethanol were structural alerts for skin sensitization. ReferencesI. Truxa R. Suchoparek M. Synthesis and characterization of oxirane and oxetane derivatives of styrene. Makromol Patients and MethodsOver a period of 38 months, 29 consecutive patients (4 male and 25 female), aged 18-75 years (mean age 53 years), with rosacea of the face (1, 2) were enrolled in a study. 15 patients had flushing, erythema and telangiectasia, 12 papulopustular rosacea, and 2 males rhinophyma. All patients described intolerance to cosmetics and/ or topical medicaments, exhibited by worsening of burning sensation and of erythema, scaling and papulopustular lesions. Each patient was patch tested with the GIRDCA standard series, preservatives series, emulsifiers series, perfumes series and their own cosmetics and medicaments. Patch tests were read after 2 and 3 days in accordance with GIRDCA recommendations.