Occupational epoxy resin allergic contact dermatitis.
Sixteen cases of occupational contact dermatitis to epoxy resins were seen over a 5-year period. All were men. Six cases worked in the construction industry, two worked as painters, two as engineers, two as car windscreen repairers, and one each worked in a timber yard, a car yard, on a farm and as a cane-furniture salesman. Most presented with rashes on their faces (56%), hands (50%) or arms (37%). Two patients were allergic to the reactive diluent phenyl glycidyl ether, and one was allergic to the epoxy hardener isophorone diamine. The rest were allergic to the epoxy resin itself. Outcome in this series was poor because most continued to be exposed to epoxy resins in their workplace environment.