SKIN-DISEASE AND CONTACT SENSITIVITY IN-HOUSE PAINTERS USING WATER-BASED PAINTS, GLUES AND PUTTIES

A dermatologic investigation of 202 construction painters included pat ch testing with the TRUE Test(TM) standard series and ingredients of w ater-based paints, glues and putties (painters' series). 32 painters h ad current eczema and 16 had a history of previous eczema. Of these, 1 6 and 9, respectively, had current and previous histories of hand ecze ma. Irritant reactions on the hands, characterized by dry, erythematou s finely fissured skin, which healed within a few days of skin rest, w ere found in 18 painters. 8 painters presented dry, fissured finger ti ps and finger sides. The total group of painters had 25 allergic react ions to the TRUE Test(TM) standard series and 11 to the painters' seri es. 11 test reactions were found to be related to present or previous hand eczema: 4 cases reacted to nickel, cobalt, colophony or N-octyl-i sothiazolinone; 2 each to p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin and be nzisothiazolinone (BIT); and 3 to Cl + Me-isothiazolinone. 5 painters were sensitive to BIT without clinical symptoms of skin disease. Hand eczema is no more common among construction painters who work with wat er-based paints, glues and putties, than in an average population. The re are, however, special risks of sensitization and eczema in a constr uction painter's work that should be considered on employment.