Outbreak of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from a smartphone screen protector glue

Abstract

Background Sensitization to acrylates is a concern in the occupational/environmental dermatology field. Objective To describe an occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) outbreak from a smartphone screen protector glue. Methods Thirteen affected workers of a chain store selling phone screen protectors were investigated in five Spanish dermatology departments. The glue datasheet and label were assessed. A chemical analysis of the glue was performed. Based on this, some patients underwent additional testing. Results All patients (all female, mean age: 25) had severe fingertip dermatitis. The datasheet/label indicated that the glue contained isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), a “photoinitiator” and polyurethane oligomer. The company informed us that the ingredients were polyurethane acrylate, “methacrylate” (unspecified), acrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, propylmethoxy siloxane, and photoinitiator 184. Isobornyl acrylate (or IBOA) and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) were patch tested in eight and two cases, respectively, with negative results. A chemical analysis revealed 4‐acryloylmorpholine (ACMO); isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA), and lauryl acrylate in one glue sample. Seven patients were patch tested with dilutions of the identified substances and six of seven were positive for ACMO 0.5% pet. Conclusion An outbreak of occupational ACD, likely from ACMO in a glue is described. Further investigations are needed to corroborate the role played by each compound identified in the chemical analyses.

Nonoccupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis to 4-Acryloylmorpholine in Smartwatch Screen Protectors Glue

“…In previous research, we had performed controls with ACMO 0.5% pet in 25 consecutive unrelated eczema patients without previous exposure to the glue 1 . In addition to these prior controls, we performed additional patch tests with ACMO in 13 extra controls with negative results.…”

“…1 Patch tests with ACMO 0.5% were positive in 6 patients, including 3 patients with prior positive patch test reactions to the glue. 1 Only one case report of ACD from the same glue product involving one employee of the same phone-protector chain store had been published before. 2 The patient was sensitized to IBOA, which was considered to be relevant by the authors because it was labeled in the glue product.…”

“…The glue is contained in a kit, which also includes a tempered glass screen protector and a small ultraviolet lamp. These products are available for both professional and consumer use 1 …”

“…We recently identified an outbreak of occupational ACD involving 13 workers of a Spanish company selling mobile phone screen protectors from a glue product designed to attach tempered glass screen protectors to curved smartphones screens. 1 The glue is contained in a kit, which also includes a tempered glass screen protector and a small ultraviolet lamp. These products are available for both professional and consumer use.…”

“…1). However, in a prior chromatographic investigation, 4-acryloylmorpholine (ACMO), lauryl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, and very low amounts of IBOA (<0.1%) were actually identified in one glue sample 1 . Patch tests with ACMO 0.5% were positive in 6 patients, including 3 patients with prior positive patch test reactions to the glue 1 …”