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

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)75397
CIS number 00-1395
ISSN - Serial title 1076-2752 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Year 1999
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Isaksson M., Zimerson E., Bruze M.
Title Occupational dermatoses in composite production
Bibliographic information Apr. 1999, Vol.41, No.4, p.261-266. 15 ref.
Abstract In a plant that produces fibre-resin composite by impregnation of cellulose fibres with phenol-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resins, a new technique was introduced that resulted in problems in the handling of uncured products. Many workers suffered dermatitis on areas of exposed skin. A primary investigation found that some workers had an occupationally related skin disease with contact allergy to work materials. We undertook a survey of occupational dermatoses, based on a questionnaire, clinical examination and patch test with a standard series and a series of products and chemicals representing the work environment. Eighty-eight workers participated in the clinical investigation. In six workers, contact allergy to phenol-formaldehyde resin was seen, and in five workers, contact allergy to melamine-formaldehyde resin was noted. Two workers were allergic to both resins. Occupational dermatitis was diagnosed in nine of 88 (10.2%) workers. In this article, we discuss possible preventive measures for avoiding occupational dermatitis.
Descriptors (primary) organic polymers; skin diseases; occupational diseases
Descriptors (secondary) Sweden; melamine resins; phenol-formaldehyde polymers; irritation; skin tests; dermatitis; eczema; questionnaire survey; skin allergies
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceSweden
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Skin diseases