Contact sensitivity to phenylglycidyl ether

From among 40 workers with dermatitis who did not have contact with phenylglycidyl ether but worked with epoxy resins, 5 were positive to Epidian 5 and phenylglycidyl ether. Cross reactions between these contactants were noted in 3 of the 17 guinea pigs with primary sensitization to epoxy resin or the tested diluent. For 58 persons coming into contact with phenylglycidyl ether the frequency of sensitization to the contactant was determined and the mean period between starting work and the occurrence of dermatitis was calculated.