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Chromate and amine contact allergies in workers manufacturing precast concrete elements
Author(s) -
Mowitz Martin,
Zimerson Erik,
Hauksson Inese,
Pontén Ann
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12661
Subject(s) - precast concrete , allergy , allergic contact dermatitis , chromate conversion coating , contact allergy , contact dermatitis , amine gas treating , dermatology , medicine , materials science , engineering , composite material , chemistry , structural engineering , organic chemistry , corrosion , immunology
Summary Background Five workers from a plant manufacturing concrete wall panels and beams were referred to our department because of suspected occupational dermatitis. When patch tested, 3 workers reacted to potassium dichromate. Four workers reacted to ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, without any obvious exposure. Owing to the high proportion of workers with recent‐onset skin disease, an investigation of all workers at the plant was initiated. Objectives To investigate the prevalence of occupational dermatitis and contact allergy in the workers at the plant. Methods All 24 workers at the plant underwent a clinical investigation and were patch tested. Results Four cases of allergic occupational contact dermatitis and 3 cases of irritant occupational contact dermatitis were diagnosed. Contact allergy to potassium dichromate was found in 4 workers. All 4 also reacted to ethylenediamine dihydrochloride and/or amines that were present as additives in the cement. Conclusions Chromate contact allergy can still be found in concrete workers, despite the legislation regulating the amount of hexavalent chromium (chromate) in cement. Occupational contact allergy to amines can be found in workers exposed to cement and concrete, so amines should be tested in these workers.