[Occupational contact dermatitis induced by allergens present in rubber. II. allergy to antioxidants].

Out of 339 persons suffering from occupational dermatitis, the group of 51 patients (15%), allergic to rubber, were eligible for the study. The frequency of allergy to amine compounds and quinoline derivatives (8 chemical compounds), used in rubber mixtures to prevent rubber oxidation, was investigated. The group under study comprised of 20 workers of the metallurgic, 6 of the building and 3 of the rubber industries as well as 15 health service workers, 2 farmers and 5 drivers. Allergy to amine compounds was found in 30 persons (58.8%) and to quinoline derivatives in 5 persons (9.8%). N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-4-phenylenodiamine proved to be most allergenic (52.9% of allergic persons), then N-cyclohexyl-N-phenyl-4-phenylenodiamine (31.4%) and N,N-diphenyl-4-phenylenodiamine (23.5%). Allergy to amine antioxidants was two times higher among workers of the metallurgic and building industries as well as among farmers and drivers than in health service workers, and it was induced by contact with technical rubber.