Occupational respiratory hypersensitivity caused by preparations containing acrylates in dental personnel

Background Allergic contact dermatitis caused by acrylate compounds is comm on in dental personnel; they also often complain of work-related respirator y or conjunctival symptoms. Objective The aim of the present study was to report the cases of acrylates induced respiratory hypersensitivity in dental personnel diagnosed in Finl and during the last 6 years. Methods Occupational asthma, rhinitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis cases wer e diagnosed according to patient history, PEF monitoring, and a work-simula ting provocation test. Results Twelve cases of respiratory hypersensitivity caused by acrylates di agnosed in dental personnel (six dentists and six dental nurses) in 1992-97 are reported. During this period one case of conjunctivitis and one of lar yngitis have been published separately. Nine cases of occupational asthma, two rhinitis cases, and one laryngitis case were verified according to the challenge tests with dental acrylate compounds (acrylates, methacrylates an d epoxy acrylates). Only three patients had positive skin-prick test reacti ons to common environmental allergens, and none reacted to acrylates in the skin-prick tests. Five patients had an elevated total IgE (>110 kU/L). PEF follow-up showed an occupational effect in all examined eight patients wit h diagnosed asthma. The mean duration of exposure to acrylates was 22 years , and the duration of respiratory symptoms 8 years. Conclusions The results indicate that acrylates constitute an important haz ard for dental workers. The mechanism of respiratory hypersensitivity is st ill unknown, and it is probably not IgE-mediated.