Abstract
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by an epoxy resin system containing N-butyl glycidyl ether and triethylenetetramine developed in workers in a gluing and swaging operation. The process had been introduced 11 months before our investigation. Assessment of all eight current workers in the gluing and swaging operation showed that six had hand dermatitis. Four of these six workers had positive responses to epoxy resin and/or N-butyl glycidyl ether. One other worker had a questionable response to epoxy resin. Preventive strategies including the use of appropriate chemical protective clothing and skin care are discussed. The advantages of group assessment are also discussed, as is the problem of assessing prevalence and incidence of occupational skin disease.
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