Occupations at risk of developing contact allergy to isothiazolinones in Danish contact dermatitis patients: results from a Danish multicentre study (2009-2012).

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In recent years, the prevalence of contact allergy to isothiazolinones has reached epidemic levels. Few studies have presented data on occupations at risk of developing contact allergy to isothiazolinones.

OBJECTIVES:

To present demographics and examine risk factors for sensitization to methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) in combination with MI and benzisothiazolinone (BIT) in Danish dermatitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective epidemiological analysis of data from three Danish hospitals departments was conducted. All patients consecutively patch tested with MI, MCI/MI and BIT between 2009 and 2013 were included.

RESULTS:

MI contact allergy showed a significantly increased trend in prevalence from 1.8% in 2009 to 4.2% in 2012 (p < 0.001). Females with facial dermatitis mainly drove the increase in 2012. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that MI sensitization was significantly associated with occupational exposures, hand and facial dermatitis, age > 40 years, and the occupational groups of tile setters/terrazzo workers, machine operators, and painters. MCI/MI contact allergy was significantly associated with the following high-risk occupations: painting, welding (blacksmiths), machine operating, and cosmetology. The occupational group of painting was frequent in the group of patients with BIT contact allergy.

CONCLUSION:

Several high-risk occupations for sensitization to isothiazolinones exist. Regulation on the allowed concentration of isothiazolinones, and especially MI, in both consumer products and industrial products is needed.

• Authors: Jakob F Schwensen, Torkil Menné, Klaus E Andersen, Mette Sommerlund, Jeanne D Johansen
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 71 Issue 5 Pg. 295-302 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1600-0536 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25141913 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Disinfectants
• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
• Thiazoles
• 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
• 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
• 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one

Topics

• Adult
• Denmark (epidemiology)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (epidemiology, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Occupational (epidemiology, etiology)
• Disinfectants (adverse effects)
• Facial Dermatoses (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Female
• Hand Dermatoses (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupations
• Preservatives, Pharmaceutical (adverse effects)
• Prevalence
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Thiazoles (adverse effects)