ILO Home
Go to the home page
Site map | Contact us Français | Español

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)112300
CIS number 12-0123
ISSN - Serial title 0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Year 2011
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Geier J., Krautheim A., Uter W., Lessmann H., Schnuch A.
Title Occupational contact allergy in the building trade in Germany: Influence of preventive measures and changing exposure
Bibliographic information Apr. 2011, Vol.84, No.4, p.403-411. Illus. 26 ref.
Internet access Occupational_contact_allergy_[INTERNET_FREE_ACCESS] [in English]
Abstract Since 1993, assiduous efforts have been made in Germany to lower the incidence of allergic cement dermatitis by reducing the content of hexavalent chromium (Cr VI). However, the use of epoxy resin systems in the building sector increased considerably during the same period. This study analysed data of the German Information Network of Departments of Dermatology to evaluate the influence of these changing occupational exposures on frequencies of sensitization. Data of 1,153 men working in the building sector presenting with occupational skin disease in the years 1994-2008 were analysed, taking into consideration not only the year of patch testing, but also beginning and duration of their employment in the building sector. While contact sensitization to chromate decreased from 43.1 to 29.0%, sensitization to epoxy resin increased from 8.4 to 12.4%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared to those who had already worked before 1994, patients having started to work after 1999 had a significantly decreased risk of chromate sensitization (odds ratio 0.42) and a significantly increased risk of sensitization to epoxy resin (odds ratio 2.79). Additionally, risk of thiuram sensitization increased with the duration of employment. These findings confirm that reducing Cr(VI) content of cement is useful in preventing allergic cement eczema, as previously found in Scandinavia. In contrast, the increasing prevalence of contact sensitization to epoxy resin components in the building sector is a cause for concern.
Descriptors (primary) Germany; chromium and compounds; epoxy resins; sensitization; skin allergies; eczema; building industry
Descriptors (secondary) skin tests; long-term study; statistical evaluation; health service records; long-term exposure; frequency rates
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Construction industry
Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) Skin diseases
Construction industry and civil engineering
Allergies