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).
Contact allergy to allergy to allyl glycidyl ether present as an impurity in 3‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, a fixing additive in silicone and polyurethane resins
We present a 43‐year‐old man who worked in the plastics industry and who suffered from an occupational dermatitis on the hands and forearms. He was found to be allergic to an epoxy silane compound that was contaminated with allyl glycidyl ether, a reactive epoxy diluent. HPLC analysis and patch testing indicated that this impurity was probablyt the only sensitizer. Moreover, the gloves used provided absolutely no protection, as the inner side also generated strong positive reactions.
Contact sensitivity to systemically administered drugs.
Allergic occupational dermatitis to drugs usually administered systemically is found most often in nurses. Affected less frequently are physicians, veterinarians, dentists, hospital cleaning people, and pharmaceutical manufacturing workers. The drug most often involved in the author's experience is penicillin.