Airborne irritant contact dermatitis from metal dust adhering to semisynthetic working suits

Abstract

2 workers at an aircraft factory were employed in a plasma sparying unit. Soon after they were equipped with new semisynthetic working suits, they started to complain of pruritic eruptions after heavy exposure to metal dust. They noted that the dust was not as easily blown off the clothes by pressurized air as previously. Clinical findings consisted of discrete macular and papular lesions, partly follicular, on the ventral and medial thighs. Atopy score, IgE level and a standard series of prick tests ruled out atopic disposition. Patch tests revealed no reactions. A diagnosis of occupational airborne irritant contact dermatitis from metal dust was therefore made. To elucidate the role of the working suit, extensive physical investigations of the physical properties of the textile were performed. Microscopic pictures at low magnification showed more dust particles on the semisynthetic working suit, compared to the former pure cotton suit. This impression could not be confirmed by particle count because of too uneven particle distribution at higher magnification. Hairiness of the 2 textiles was low and ruled out irritation by the semisynthetic textile itself. No difference in electrostatic properties between the 2 working suits could be established either. Both textiles showed high static electrical propensity. When use of the semisynthetic overall was discontinued, the patients reported no recurrence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An update on airborne contact dermatitis

“…• Irritant contact dermatitis due to CS gas (ortho‐chlorobenzylidenemalonitrile) (116), mustard gas (yperite) (136), metal dust (137), carbon fibre (138), benzalkonium chloride (139), epoxy resin (61) and ethylene oxide (140).…”

Aircraft Industry

“…(Bruze et al 1996) Fiberglass Detergents (Bruze et al 1996) Metal dust (Hafner et al 1995) Surface-active agents Cutting fluids Composite dust (Bruze et al 1996;Eedy 1996) Metals may also sensitize. (Bruze et al 1996) Fiberglass Detergents (Bruze et al 1996) Metal dust (Hafner et al 1995) Surface-active agents Cutting fluids Composite dust (Bruze et al 1996;Eedy 1996) Metals may also sensitize.…”

Aircraft Industry

“…Meehanieal assemblers eome into eontaet with grease and lubrieating oils and hydraulie engineers with hydraulie oils, whieh may lead to oil acne. Airborne irritant eontaet dermatitis from metal dust adhering to a new semi-synthetie working suit has been deseribed in two workers in a plasma spraying plant, where jet eomponents were re-eovered with a thin metallayer (Hafner et al 1995). Skin-irritating eomposite dust, frequent exposure to organie solvents, repeated meehanieal trauma, exposure to detergents to remove sealants, paints, and other ehernieals from the skin are all faetors that may faeilitate irritant eontaet dermatitis.…”

“…Using epoxy resins with highmedium molecular weight with as low concentrations of oligomers of 340 as possible, using reactive diluents of high molecular weight, using hardeners of the adduct type with no remains of aliphatic amines, are all important preventive measures. W orkers need to be educated regarding the potential allergenic hazards when handling epoxy-based composites and sealants and should leam to use "no-touch" techniques when Detergents (Bruze et al 1996) Metal dust (Hafner et al 1995) Surface-active agents Cutting fluids Composite dust (Bruze et al 1996) Table 2. Standard allergens PPDA-rubber mix Thiuram mix 1% pet (rubber gloves) Formaldehyde 1 % aq Nickel sulphate 5% pet (in wire and solder alloys) Rosin 20% pet (in soldering fluxes) Potassium dichromate 0.5% pet (in primer paints (Hall 1944) and in hardeners for sealants based on polysulfides ) (Handley and Burrows 1994) (Bruze et al 1996) Diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) 1% pet (adhesives, sealants) Table 3.…”