BACKGROUND: Chromium allergy has traditionally been caused by occupational skin contact with cement. In 1983, Danish legislation made the addition of ferrous sulphate compulsory in cement to reduce the water-soluble chromium content to not more than 2 ppm. An effect from this intervention has previously been demonstrated among Danish construction workers. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the development of chromium allergy among patients with dermatitis tested between 1985 and 2007 in Denmark. Furthermore, to determine causative exposures in patients with chromium allergy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patch test data was performed (n = 16,228) and charts from patients with chromium allergy were reviewed. Comparisons were made using a chi(2) test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of chromium allergy decreased significantly from 3.6% in 1985 to 1% in 1995 (P(trend) < 0.001) but increased to 3.3% in 2007 (P(trend) < 0.001). The frequency of clinically relevant cement exposure decreased significantly among patients with chromium allergy from 12.7% in 1989-1994 to 3.0% (P < 0.01) in 1995-2007, whereas the frequency of relevant leather exposure increased significantly from 24.1% during 1989-1994 to 45.5% during 1995-2007 (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Chromium allergy is currently increasing in Denmark due to leather exposure.
BACKGROUND:Chromiumallergy has traditionally been caused by occupational skin contact with cement. In 1983, Danish legislation made the addition of ferrous sulphate compulsory in cement to reduce the water-soluble chromium content to not more than 2 ppm. An effect from this intervention has previously been demonstrated among Danish construction workers. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the development of chromiumallergy among patients with dermatitis tested between 1985 and 2007 in Denmark. Furthermore, to determine causative exposures in patients with chromiumallergy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patch test data was performed (n = 16,228) and charts from patients with chromiumallergy were reviewed. Comparisons were made using a chi(2) test. Logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of chromiumallergy decreased significantly from 3.6% in 1985 to 1% in 1995 (P(trend) < 0.001) but increased to 3.3% in 2007 (P(trend) < 0.001). The frequency of clinically relevant cement exposure decreased significantly among patients with chromiumallergy from 12.7% in 1989-1994 to 3.0% (P < 0.01) in 1995-2007, whereas the frequency of relevant leather exposure increased significantly from 24.1% during 1989-1994 to 45.5% during 1995-2007 (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:Chromiumallergy is currently increasing in Denmark due to leather exposure.
Authors: Johannes Geier; Andrea Krautheim; Wolfgang Uter; Holger Lessmann; Axel Schnuch Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2010-09-24 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Rune J Christiansen; Henrik J Münch; Charlotte M Bonefeld; Jacob P Thyssen; Jens J Sloth; Carsten Geisler; Kjeld Søballe; Morten S Jellesen; Stig S Jakobsen Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-08-20 Impact factor: 4.241