Occupational dermatoses in workers exposed to epoxy-impregnated fiberglass fabric

In December, 1985, and February, 1986, skin diseases were investigated among workers in a plant producing printed circuit boards made of copper sheets and fiberglass fabric impregnated with a brominated epoxy resin. A questionnaire was sent to all 159 employees, 143 responded (89.9%). Previous or current dermatoses were reported by 84 workers and 79 of these were examined and patch tested. The patch testing was conducted with a standard test series and with products from the work environment. These tests revealed contact allergy to diglycidylether of bisphenol A ("epoxy") in 6 persons. Besides these 6 individuals with occupational allergic contact dermatitis, occupational dermatoses were diagnosed in an additional 29 workers; irritant contact dermatitis in 28 and chemical burn in one. Altogether, 35 (22.0%) demonstrated evidence of occupational dermatoses.