Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Asthma due to a Single Low Molecular Weight Agent

Occupational contact allergens: Are they also associated with occupational asthma?

“… a Epoxy resins systems contain epoxy monomers and polymers (e.g., bisphenol A, bisphenol F) as well as hardeners (e.g., acid anhydrides and amines). The hardeners are confirmed causes of OA, some epoxy monomers, such as bisphenol A have been associated with OA in a few cases [Kanerva et al, 2000; Hannu et al, 2009; Moulin et al, 2009]. …”

“…Several common hardeners, including amine and acid anhydride formulas are known to cause occupational asthma; these agents were listed in both reference texts [UK Health and Safety Executive, 2001; Bernstein et al, 2006] as known causes of OA. Epoxy resin monomer, specifically DGEBA, has also been associated with asthma in the peer‐review literature [Kanerva et al, 2000; Hannu et al, 2009; Moulin et al, 2009] but was not listed as a cause of OA in either text. It is clear that components of epoxy resin systems are capable of causing AOCD and OA, and that a worker using epoxy resins systems may be at risk for both OCD and OA from separate chemical exposures during the use of epoxy resin systems.…”

“…The results suggesting an association between epoxy resin and OA are largely based on the link between amine and anhydride hardeners (used to cure the epoxy resin) with OA rather than from the epoxy monomers themselves, though BADGE (or DEGBA) have been shown rarely in three case studies to be related to OA [Kanerva et al, 2000; Hannu et al, 2009; Moulin et al, 2009].…”

“…It has been shown in animal models that dermal exposure can cause sensitization which upon first inhalation exposure (in a naïve animal) results in an asthma‐like response [Herrick et al, 2002; Klink and Meade, 2003; Vanoirbeek et al, 2004; Zhang et al, 2004; Lehto et al, 2005]. There are also case reports in the literature of workers having both AOCD and OA in response to the same chemical [De Raeve et al, 1998; Guarneri et al, 2008; Moulin et al, 2009].…”

Occupational Exposure and Co-Occurrence of Work-Related Skin and Respiratory Disorder in Cleaner: A Case Report

“…If a worker is sensitized due to dermal exposure, a respiratory response may be triggered by relatively low airborne exposure. This has implications for exposure control because airborne exposure limits may prevent airways sensitization but may not be protective for elicitation in the airways of a sensitized worker [1].…”