Occupational contact allergy to (meth)acrylates

Among 13,833 patients suspected of contact dermatitis examined during the years 1978-1999, occupational contact allergy to (meth)acrylates was diagnosed in 31 patients. The 3 most common sensitizers were ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (17 positive patch tests), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (14) and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (6). The aim of this report was to assess the different occupations and industries responsible for occupational sensitization to (meth)acrylates. 14 of the 31 patients work in the dental sector, either as a dentist or as a student of dental technology, where (meth)acrylate-containing dental prostheses and dental composites are mainly responsible for allergy to (meth)acrylates. An increasing trend in dermatological problems related to the expansion of the use of (meth)acrylates is clearly reflected in the patient population of our dermatology department.