Triphenyl phosphite, a new allergen in polyvinylchloride gloves

Contact allergy to polyvinylchloride (PVC) gloves has been reported relatively seldom. In spring 2011, 5 of our patients had patch test reactions to PVC gloves. We obtained a collection of PVC raw materials from industrial producers and suppliers of chemical compounds to be patch tested on patients with suspected PVC glove contact allergy.

To report the first results of these new test substances.

The patients were patch tested with the newly obtained test substances, plastics and glues series, and isocyanates and isocyanate prepolymers. We analysed nine PVC glove samples for triphenyl phosphate and its derivatives.

Two patients reacted to a technical PVC antioxidant and one of its components, triphenyl phosphite (TPP). Contact allergy to TPP was very strong in 1 patient, and was the main cause of her hand dermatitis, whereas the other patient also had other contact allergies explaining her symptoms. Three patients reacted to their PVC gloves, but the specific allergen was not identified. Six PVC glove samples contained TPP at concentrations of 0.004-0.099%. TPP transforms into triphenyl phosphate during storage.

TPP represents a new allergen in PVC gloves. It was detected in several PVC gloves in fairly high concentrations.