[Skin and respiratory allergic disease caused by polyfunctional aziridine].

BACKGROUND

Polyfunctional aziridine (PFA) hardener is increasingly used in water-based paints and inks as a replacement for organic solvents. Allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, respiratory allergy in occupationally exposed patients with hypersensitivity to PFA are reported.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to study a population of adhesive tape printers for occupational respiratory and skin sensitisation to PFA hardener. Also 2 cases of occupational asthma in workers exposed to PFA in tanneries are reported.

METHODS

A standard series prick and patch tests was carried out on 15 workers with skin symptoms out of 36 adhesive tape printers exposed to PFA. Prick tests with a 1% PFA water solution and patch tests with a dilution series (0.1-0.32-0.5-1%) of PFA in petrolatum were performed. Lung and nasal provocation tests with PFA hardener were also carried out on 4 subjects with skin and respiratory symptoms.

RESULTS

Skin sensitivity to PFA prick tests was demonstrated in 8.3% of the exposed population; 22.2% of the exposed workers suffered from allergic contact dermatitis due to PFA with positive patch tests for this compound. One case of occupational rhinitis due to PFA was diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

PFA is a strong sensitizer and the use of gloves and protective clothing appears to be insufficient to prevent occupational allergic diseases. Elimination of PFA from production processes is desirable.