Determinants of epoxy allergy in the construction industry: a case-control study

Ton Spee, Johan G Timmerman, Reinhold Rühl, Klaus Kersting, Dick J J Heederik, Lidwien A M Smit

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Workers exposed to epoxy products are at risk of developing allergic contact dermatitis.

    OBJECTIVES: To compare workers throughout the German construction industry with and without skin allergy to epoxy resins, hardeners, and/or reactive diluents, and to investigate which determinants are related to the development of epoxy allergy.

    METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by 179 epoxy allergy cases, and 151 epoxy workers as controls. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by the use of backwards stepwise logistic regression analysis. A multiple imputation approach was used to deal with missing data.

    RESULTS: Epoxy allergy was associated with an unusually high level of exposure to epoxy products [OR 2.13 (95%CI: 1.01-4.51)], wearing short sleeves or short trousers [OR 2.38 (95%CI: 1.03-5.52)], and not always using the correct type of gloves [OR 2.12 (95%CI: 1.12-4.01)]. A monotonic increasing risk was found with increasing exposure hours per week [OR 1.72 (95%CI: 1.39-2.14)]. Not using skin cream was inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.22 (95%CI: 0.08-0.59)]. Years working with epoxy products were inversely associated with epoxy allergy [OR 0.41 (95%CI: 0.27-0.61) per 10-year increase], suggesting a healthy worker survivor effect.

    CONCLUSIONS: Occupational epoxy allergy may be prevented by improving occupational hygiene behaviour and personal protection.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)259-266
    Number of pages8
    JournalContact Dermatitis
    Volume74
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 29 Jan 2016

    Keywords

    • epidemiology
    • occupational
    • occupational hygiene behaviour
    • prevention

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Determinants of epoxy allergy in the construction industry: a case-control study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this