Contact sensitization to organosilane solution in glass filament production
Glass filaments have been commercially produced since the 1930s, and are now mainly used for reinforcing plastics, paper, textiles, floorings, boats, and bituminous products, and rendering appliances like pipes and tanks corrosion-resistant. During production, filaments are coated with a water dispersion of epoxy resins, polyester resins, silane compounds, emulsifiers, lubricants, surfactants and antistatic agents. Various silanes are used as bonding agents between glass and resin in the final product. 2 studies have recently reported sensitization to silanes (1, 2).
Occupational irritant contact dermatitis from synthetic mineral fibres according to Finnish statistics
Synthetic mineral fibres (i.e. man‐made vitreous fibres, MMVF) are classified into glass filament, mineral wool (glass wool, rock wool and slag wool), refractory ceramic fibres, and fibres for special purposes. This paper analyses the data on occupational irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) caused by MMVF during 1990–99 in Finland according to the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD). A total of 63 cases from MMVF were reported. 56 were diagnosed as ICD, and 2 as allergic contact dermatitis, both from rock wool. 53 out of 63 cases were due to mineral wool or glass filaments; half of the cases, according to a rough estimate, were due to mineral wool and a half due to glass filaments used in lamination work. Carpenters, building workers and insulation workers have the highest risk of ICD from mineral wool. 4 cases in carpenters, 4 in building workers and 2 in insulation workers were reported from MMVF. For every 100 000 employed workers, only 1.6 cases of ICD in carpenters, 2.7 in building workers and 9.1 in insulation workers were annually due to MMVF, respectively. Mineral wool used in construction work, insulation, etc., cannot be considered to be a common cause of occupationally induced ICD. However, information on harmful skin effects of MMVF is useful to exposed persons in the prevention of the effects.
Sensitization to amoxycillin in Augmentin®
fragrance mix at 96 h, and a + + reaction to Pond's® light moisturiser at 48 h. Samples of the current and previous perfumes used in this product were obtained from the company, in addition to a UV A absorber in the product, Eusolex 8020®. Patch testing with the perfumes produced no reaction, but Eusolex 8020® 1% pet. produced a + + reaction at 48 h. 15 controls were tested with Eusolex 8020® 1% pet. with negative results. It was assumed that this woman's problems had resulted from allergic contact dermatitis from Eusolex 8020®, which was used in the cream as a sunscreen.