Contact allergy to 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole and phenyl‐α‐naphtylamine, allergens in industrial greases and lubricant oils – contact allergy to water‐insoluble greases is uncommon but needs to be considered in some workers

Abstract

2,5-Dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole is an aromatic compound used in oils and greases. It has previously caused contact allergy to workers who have handled the pure chemical, but to our knowledge, there are no previous reports of contact allergy from products containing the chemical in a relatively low concentration. 1 of our 2 cases had been sensitized from grease and the other from a guide-way oil. The latter case shows that machinists may become sensitized to lubricants that leak to the metalworking fluid system.

1,3,4-Thiadiazole: Synthesis, Reactions, and Applications in Medicinal, Agricultural, and Materials Chemistry

“…It is rationalized that these properties are achieved by the S atom reacting with the metal surface and the N atom and other heteroatoms (e.g., P atom) absorbed onto the metal surface to produce a thin chemical protecting film. Moreover, chelation of lone pair electrons of the N atom with the iron surface is beneficial to minimize the corrosion of S …”

Septic olecranon bursitis, contact dermatitis, and pneumonitis in a gas turbine engine mechanic

“…Indeed, Nphenyl-naphthalenamine and closely related compounds have been known to cause dermatitis in human subjects. 2,6,13,18,21 One report also found dermatitis effects of tricresyl phosphate. 10 The Aeroshell Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS 857490E) lists this lubricant as a toxic, noncarcinogenic synthetic hydrocarbon.…”

“…[1][2][3]13,21 Occupational skin disease typically manifests either as an industrial form of acne (acne venenata) or as a form of irritant contact dermatitis. Although no reports cite dermatitis or other adverse effects due to Aeroshell turbine oil specifically, at least a few publications report on effects of this compound's active ingredients.…”

Contact allergy to polyolefin ester in a lubricant grease

“…Contact allergy to industrial water‐insoluble greases and lubricant oils is rare but needs to be considered in some workers. We have reviewed the literature in our recent report of three such cases (1). To our knowledge, contact allergy to polyolefin ester has not been reported previously.…”