Results of Testing With Epoxy Resin in an Occupational Health Clinic Population

Abstract

The results of patch testing with epoxy resin as a component of a standard screening tray in an occupational health clinic over a 9-year period are reviewed. Overall, 3.7% of 1,559 individuals tested had a positive response to epoxy resin. If just those with allergic contact dermatitis were assessed, 8.4% had positive responses, and if only those with occupational allergic contact dermatitis were included, the percentage positive was 11.7%. Seventy-four percent of the positive responses were deemed to be relevant in the overall group tested. 82% were relevant if the population was limited to those with allergic contact dermatitis. Positive responses were significantly more common in men. In individuals with positive responses to epoxy resin, the location of the eruption was on the hands (odds ratio 2.3) and eyelids (odds ratio 2.8) significantly more often when compared with others with allergic contact dermatitis not related to epoxy. Epoxy resin is a useful allergen for a screening tray. This conclusion is based on the relatively large proportion of positive responses that were elicited in our patient population and the high percentage of positive responses that were deemed to be relevant to either the patient's presenting or to a past skin problem.