Katri Suuronen1, Beatrice Bäck2, Kristiina Aalto-Korte1, Maria Pesonen1, Soile Jungewelter1, Maj-Len Henriks-Eckerman3, Erja Mäkelä4. 1. Solutions for Safety, Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Solutions for Safety, Work Environment, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Solutions for Safety, Work Environment, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku, Finland. 4. Solutions for Safety, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Epoxy resin systems (ERSs) are among the leading causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To identify riskful exposures and sources of skin exposure, and to quantify skin exposure to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy monomer, in construction coating work. METHODS: Skin exposure to epoxy chemicals was studied in 5 coating companies through (a) interviews and visual observation, (b) quantifying DGEBA on 12 workers' skin by tape-stripping, (c) measuring DGEBA on 23 surfaces by wipe-sampling, and (d) quantifying DGEBA in new sewage pipe. Acetone extracts of the tapes, wipes and sawdust from a newly hardened sewage pipe were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Identified riskful exposures were, for example, mixing ERSs, handling coating pots, and working above shoulder level. Epoxy stains on, for example, tools, equipment and clothing were seen in all workplaces. Protective gloves were of varying quality, and were not always suitable for chemicals. The amount of DGEBA on the workers' skin varied considerably. All screened tool handles were contaminated. Two-day-old epoxy sewage pipe contained 3.2% DGEBA. CONCLUSIONS: Construction coating entails skin contact with ERSs directly and via contaminated surfaces, personal protective equipment, and recently hardened epoxy materials. Observation is a useful method for assessing skin exposure in coating work.
BACKGROUND: Epoxy resin systems (ERSs) are among the leading causes of occupational allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVES: To identify riskful exposures and sources of skin exposure, and to quantify skin exposure to diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy monomer, in construction coating work. METHODS: Skin exposure to epoxy chemicals was studied in 5 coating companies through (a) interviews and visual observation, (b) quantifying DGEBA on 12 workers' skin by tape-stripping, (c) measuring DGEBA on 23 surfaces by wipe-sampling, and (d) quantifying DGEBA in new sewage pipe. Acetone extracts of the tapes, wipes and sawdust from a newly hardened sewage pipe were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Identified riskful exposures were, for example, mixing ERSs, handling coating pots, and working above shoulder level. Epoxy stains on, for example, tools, equipment and clothing were seen in all workplaces. Protective gloves were of varying quality, and were not always suitable for chemicals. The amount of DGEBA on the workers' skin varied considerably. All screened tool handles were contaminated. Two-day-old epoxy sewage pipe contained 3.2% DGEBA. CONCLUSIONS: Construction coating entails skin contact with ERSs directly and via contaminated surfaces, personal protective equipment, and recently hardened epoxy materials. Observation is a useful method for assessing skin exposure in coating work.
Authors: Niamh M O'Boyle; Ida B Niklasson; David J Ponting; Miguel A Ortega; Tina Seifert; Andreas Natsch; Kristina Luthman; Ann-Therese Karlberg Journal: Toxicol Ind Health Date: 2022-04-24 Impact factor: 1.851
Authors: Wolfgang Uter; Thomas Werfel; Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin; Ian R White Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-01 Impact factor: 3.390