Contact sensitization and self‐reported eczema in Swedish painters with occupational exposure to isothiazolinones

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundDue to an increasing occupational usage of isothiazolinone (IT)‐containing preservatives, and their potential to cause skin sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis, that is, chronic disease, there is a need for more knowledge on how highly exposed workers are affected.ObjectivesThe overall objective was to explore dermatological symptoms of potentially long‐lasting or chronic character in Swedish painters.MethodsBuilding painters from western and southern Sweden were initially invited to perform a questionnaire on occurrence of skin symptoms. Participants with affirmative responses, and the right inclusion criteria, were further invited to patch testing with four different ITs: benzisothiazolinone (BIT), methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone and octylisothiazolinone.ResultsThere was a tendency towards higher occurrence of positive patch test reactions among the painters compared with occupationally unexposed registry patients; however, not statistically significant differences. BIT was the substance most frequently causing positive test results in both groups. The occurrence of adult‐onset eczema was higher in painters than in the control group of electricians, and just shy of statistical significance concerning any of several skin locations (face/legs/arms/hands).ConclusionBuilding painters present with positive patch test reactions to common paint preservatives (ITs), and they report adult‐onset eczema more often than do less occupationally exposed groups.