On the Chemical Nature of the Eczematogenic Agent in Oil of Turpentine

Terpene exposure and respiratory effects among workers in Swedish joinery shops

“…These substances are irritating to skin and mucous membranes and can cause both allergic and nonallergic contact dermatitis (2)(3)(4). The occupational exposure limit in Sweden at present is 150 mg/m3 for both total and individual monoterpenes (3, and in sawmills the exposure often exceeds this limit (1,(6)(7).…”

On the Chemical Nature of the Eczematogens in Oil of Turpentine

“…The methods of oxidation of the terpenes and of determination of the hydro peroxide contents obtained have been described previously [20]. In order to obtain comparable test substances, an attem pt was made to continue the oxidation until about 10% of the terpene had been oxidized to hydroperoxide, that is, up to a hydro peroxide concentration of about 10 mol per cent.…”

“…The better 2-pinene was purified of 3-carene, the higher, as a rule, were the threshold concentrations and the weaker were the reactions in patients sensitized to oil of turpentine [17,18], This observation sug gested th at the oxidation products of 3-carene are the main or even the sole cause of eczema due to oil of turpentine in Finland. How ever, some obvious exceptions to this rule were found.…”

Turpentine [MAK Value Documentation, 2002]

“…Irritant reactions (erythema and oedema) were seen in tests with 70 % to 80 % preparations of the substances in olive oil, but not in tests with 20 % to 35 % preparations. At hydroperoxide levels of 2 % or more, the oxidized test substances caused irritation in most of 30 patients (Pirilä et al 1964). In the 48-hour patch test, preparations of 10 % α-pinene, 12 % β-pinene and 10 % ∆…”