The problem of sensitizing capacity of some Grotans used as bacteriocides in cooling oils

Four patients engaged on a medium-sized engineering factory were investigated because of hand dermatitis by contact with cooling oils. Two patients showed allergy to formaldehyde. After eliminating all Grotans the two patients with allergy to formaldehyde became free of dermatitis. However no evidence of allergy could be found for the two Grotans which are formaldehyde releasers. In the literature there is a remarkable confusion about the sensitizing capacity of especially Grotan BK. Wet emulsions and finished oil might be important in explaining causative factors in occupational dermatitis of metal workers.