Occupational contact allergy of construction workers in Greece: Trends during 2009–2018

Abstract

Background: Recent trends in the sensitization of construction workers show a decrease in potassium dichromate and an increase in epoxy resin sensitization.Objectives: To present the trends of occupational contact allergy of construction workers in Greece from 2009 to 2018. Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients with eczema patch tested in our Contact Dermatitis Clinic who were construction workers.Results: A total of 191 construction workers initially reported contact dermatitis. Of these, 138 had occupation-relevant allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) or irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). All patients were men. After being patch tested, 98 (71.0%) were diagnosed with ACD and 40 with ICD. Median duration of occupation till onset of ACD was 2 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.8-7). The hands were the most common location for ACD (73.5%), followed by the trunk (39.8%), the legs (38.8%), and the face (11.2%). Of the patients, 74.6% had lesions affecting multiple body sites.Potassium dichromate (67%) was the most frequent allergen, followed by thiuram mix (37.4%) and cobalt chloride (31.8%). Sensitization to epoxy resins was lower (12.1%). Conclusion:The sensitization pattern of Greek construction workers does not follow the trends in Central or Northern Europe, rather sharing attributes with less industrialized countries.

Sensitization to ethylenediamine dihydrochloride in patients with contact dermatitis in northeastern Italy from 1996 to 2021

“…Recently, a retrospective study of patch test results in Greece found that 11% of construction workers had positive patch test reactions to EDD. 48 Similarly, Mowitz et al 49 in Sweden observed 12.5% of EDD sensitization among workers manufacturing precast concrete elements. In this latter case, the reactions to EDD have been attributable to cross-reactivity to other aliphatic amines added to the cement, which have similar chemical structures.…”

“…Hence, the prevalence of EDD allergy has been declining in Europe, probably as a result of the legislative measures regarding EDD content in commercial topical medications, 13,14 but cases of EDD allergy are still being observed. Recently, a retrospective study of patch test results in Greece found that 11% of construction workers had positive patch test reactions to EDD 48 . Similarly, Mowitz et al 49 in Sweden observed 12.5% of EDD sensitization among workers manufacturing precast concrete elements.…”

“…Coupled reactivity between EDD and other amines in epoxy resin system has already been reported, 2,3,24 probably due to similar amino structure. Moreover, EDD may be present as an additive in cement, which often contain many other contact allergens 48,49 . In many workers, concurrent sensitization to some of these haptens may also depend on the use of rubber protective equipment (gloves and shoes) that may contain EDD among additives 17,56 .…”

“…Moreover, EDD may be present as an additive in cement, which often contain many other contact allergens. 48,49 In many workers, concurrent sensitization to some of these haptens may also depend on the use of rubber protective equipment (gloves and shoes) that may contain EDD among additives. 17,56 Furthermore, in adhesive sensitivities, coupled reactivity has been reported between colophony, rubber components and EDD, due to the chemical N, N 0 -disalicylidene-1, 2-diaminopropane, which is hydrolyzed to a derivative of EDA.…”

Contact sensitization to (meth)acrylates in three construction workers

“…OACD to (meth)acrylates is so far less frequent in the building sector, but increasingly reported 1 . (Meth)acrylates can be present in various construction materials, including acrylic concrete, mortar, 2 floor coatings, 3 stone adhesives and filling mastics, 4,5 coatings for metals, and furniture 6…”