Epoxy Resins and the Relationship with Occupational Dermatoses

Abstract

Plastic resins containing epoxy groups are named as “epoxy resin systems’’ (ERS). ERS are widely used in industry because of their powerful chemical and mechanical properties. Occupational dermatoses related with ERS are common in painters, construction workers, ship and aviation industry employees and the electricians. Occupational exposure to ERS can result from direct contact or gloves used in workplace or exposure to resin vapor and fiberglass powders. The type of exposure determines the clinical characteristics of dermatoses; irritant and/or allergic dermatitis, contact urticaria or airborne contact dermatitis. While the standard and special patch test series are important in the detection of allergens, in some cases, the diagnosis can be made with tests with resin brought from the patient’s own workplace. Protection methods are important in preventing loss of work, particularly in airborne dermatitis. Protective measures as nitrile gloves, long-sleeved overalls, filter dust mask and barrier creams to protect the exposed areas of the body should be recommended. 

Keywords

• Epoxy resin, occupational, dermatitis

Epoksi Reçineleri ve Mesleki Dermatozlarla İlişkisi

Öz

Epoksi grubu içeren plastik reçineler için “epoksi reçine sistemi (ERS)” adı kullanılmaktadır. ERS elemanları güçlü kimyasal ve mekanik özellikleri nedeniyle sanayide en yaygın kullanılan ürünlerdir. Başta boyacılarda olmak üzere inşaat işçilerinde, gemi ve havacılık sanayi çalışanlarında ve elektrik teknisyenlerinde ERS’ye bağlı mesleki dermatozlar sık görülmektedir. ERS’ye mesleksel maruziyet direk temasla, iş yerinde kullanılan eldivenler aracılığıyla veya reçine buharı ve fiberglas tozlarına havayolu ile temas sonucu oluşabilir. Maruziyetin şekli oluşan dermatozun klinik özelliklerini belirlemekte olup irritan ve/veya alerjik kontakt dermatit, kontakt ürtiker, airborne kontakt dermatit olarak gözlenmektedirler. Standart ve özel serilerle yapılan deri yama testleri sorumlu alerjenin tespitinde önemli olmakla birlikte bazı vakalarda hastanın kendi iş yerinden getirdiği reçineyle yapılan testlerle tanı konulabilmektedir. Özellikle airborne dermatozlarda korunma yöntemleri iş gücü kayıplarını önlemede önemlidir. Koruyucu önlemler olarak nitril eldiven, uzun kollu iş tulumu, filtreli toz maskesi ve vücudun açıkta kalan yerlerini bariyer kremler ile korumak önerilmelidir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Epoksi reçine, mesleksel, dermatit

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