Contact allergy to dihydroxydiphenyl methanes (bisphenol F)

16 patients with contact allergy to phenol-formaldehyde resins (P-F-R) were patch tested with 3 dihydroxydiphenyl methanes (bisphenol F). The chemical investigation by high pressure liquid chromatography indicated that the dihydroxydiphenyl methanes (HPM) were pure and separable. 9 patients reacted to at least one HPM and all these gave positive test responses to 2,4(1)-HPM. 3 patients reacted simultaneously to 2,4(1)-HPM and 4,4(1)-HPM and one of these 3 patients reacted simultaneously to all 3 HPM. No positive test responses were noted in 100 controls. 8 of the 9 patients were also patch tested with 8 compounds with similar chemical structures to the HPM. Possible cross-reactions were observed in 2 patients for 4-hydroxydiphenyl methane, 4,4(1)-dihydroxydiphenyl-2-propane (bisphenol A) and diethylstilbestrol. The 3 reported sensitizers may, theoretically, be generated during the manufacture of P-F-R. 2,4(1)-HPM and 4,4(1)-HPM have been demonstrated and there have been indications of 2,2(1)-HPM in the P-F-R used in the routine test series at the department.