OCCUPATIONAL DERMATOSES IN A PLANT PRODUCING BINDERS FOR PAINTS AND GLUES

A survey of occupational dermatoses, based on a questionnaire, clinica l examination and patch testing, was carried out among present and for mer employees in a plant producing binders for glues and paints. The b inders are chemically based on vinyl acetate and/or acrylates. Preserv atives are needed and those based on methylchloroisothiazolinone/methy lisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) are the most commonly used. The questionnair e was answered by 83 out of 85 present employees (97.6%) and 12 out of 15 former employees (80.0%). 76 of the present (89.4%) and 11 of the former employees (73.3%), respectively, participated in the clinical e xamination and patch testing, which was conducted with a standard test series and chemicals from the work environment. Occupational dermatos is was diagnosed in 22 present workers (28.9%). Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis was demonstrated in 9 (11.8%) and 13 (17.1%) employ ees, respectively Occupational contact allergy to acrylates and formal dehyde was detected in 3 workers and 1 worker, respectively. 12 indivi duals (9 present and 3 former production workers) had an occupational contact allergy to MCI/MI. 4 of the present workers had spilled Kathon LX on their skin resulting in chemical burns and allergic contact der matitis. In total, the figure for occupational skin diseases among all present production workers was 40.4%.