Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Other Plastics

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology

Abstract

Plastics are usually nontoxic and stable in ambient conditions. Occupational dermatoses occur mostly during the technological processes for producing plastics. Amino-plastics (e.g., urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin) are of low toxicity. Phenol-formaldehyde resins can produce allergic contact dermatitis in 10% of exposed workers. Patch testing to formaldehyde resins gives false negative results in many cases. Para-tertiary-butyl-phenol-formaldehyde resins are used mainly as adhesives. Severe allergic skin reactions with systemic involvement can occur in occupational settings. Melamine-formaldehyde resins can be involved in contact dermatitis, formaldehyde being the primary irritant and sensitizer. Polycarbonates were reported in isolated cases of orthoergic or allergic contact dermatitis. Polyamide resins rarely induce skin allergies or irritation, even in conditions of prolonged contact (e.g., compression stockings for workers in standing position). Half of the workers inadequately protected when exposed to polyester fibers develop allergic contact dermatitis. Styrene acts as primary irritant by destroying the protective lipid film of the skin surface. Polyurethane resins are rarely involved in skin conditions but the resins manufacture can cause allergic and irritative dermatitis. Diagnostic skin tests need careful interpretation as cross-reactivity was described between isocyanates (components of polyurethane resins) and their corresponding amines.

Polyolefins (thermoplastic resins obtained by polyaddition of olefins) can be involved in occupational contact dermatitis mainly when incompletely cured or in hot conditions due to depolimerization. Sicca syndrome and epidermal necrolysis were also described.

Primary prevention to occupational dermatoses induced by plastics involves health and safety instruction of the workers and the use of masks and gloves to avoid contact with the low molecular weight reagents. It is important to constantly improve the technological process by the replacement of harmful adjuvants with less dangerous ones. Secondary prevention is performed by the medical team that treats and makes recommendations to the affected workers.

Gheorghe Bucur: deceased.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 919.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aalto-Korte K, Suuronen K (2016) Occupational contact allergy to components of polyester resin systems. Contact Dermatitis 75(1):14–19

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aalto-Korte K, Suuronen K (2017) Screening allergic reactions to resol resin based on phenol and formaldehyde in a clinic of occupational dermatology. Contact Dermatitis 77(4):208–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aalto-Korte K, Jolanki R, Estlander T (2003) Formaldehyde-negative allergic contact dermatitis from melamine-formaldehyde resin. Contact Dermatitis 49(4):194–196

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aalto-Korte K, Pesonen M, Kuuliala O, Alanko K, Jolanki R (2010) Contact allergy to aliphatic polyisocyanates based on hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate (HDI). Contact Dermatitis 63(6):357–363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barker RD, Van Tongeren MJ, Harris JM, Gardiner K, Venables KM, Newman Taylor AJ (2000) Risk factors bfor bronchial hyperresponsiveness in workers exposed to acid anhydrides. Eur Respir J 15:710–715

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barroso E, Ibañez MD, Aranda FI, Romero S (2002) Polyethylene flock-associated interstitial lung disease in a Spanish female. Eur Respir J 20(6):1610–1612

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Belsito DV (1997) The rise and fall of allergic contact dermatitis. Am J Contact Dermat 8(4):193–201

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Björkner B (2000) Other plastics. In: Kanerva L, Elsner P, Wahlberg JE, Maibach HI (eds) Handbook of occupational dermatology. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, p 607

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bourne L, Milner FJ (1963) Polyester resin hazards. Br J Ind Med 20:100–109

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Braun W (1969) Contact allergies to polyethylene glycols. Z Haut Geschlechtskr 44(11):385–389

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bruze M, Fregert S (1994) Chemical skin burns. In: Menne T, Maibach HI (eds) Hand eczema. CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 21

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruze M, Boman A, Bergqvist-Karlsson A, Bjrgqvis B, Wahlberg JE, Voog E (1988) Contact allergy to cyclohexanone resin in humans and Guinea pigs. Contact Dermatitis 18(1):46–49

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bucur L, Bucur G (2006) Probleme de toxicologie profesionall dermatologicc. Efecte generale apperal prin absorbbso cutanatt a unor substanns toxice de uz profesional. In: Bucur G, Bucur L, S cur iona C, Tiplica GS (eds) Dermatoze profesionale. Niculescu, Bucharest, pp 349–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrows D, Rycroft RJ (1981) Contact dermatitis from PTBP resin and tricresyl ethyl phthalate in a plastic nail adhesive. Contact Dermatitis 7(6):336–337

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Condé-Salazar L, Gonzact MA, Guimaraens D, Romero L (1989) Occupational contact dermatitis from styrene. Contact Dermatitis 21(2):112

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan J, Skotnicki-Grant S (2007) Allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde textile resins in surgical uniforms and nonwoven textile masks. Dermatitis 18(1):40–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donovan JC, Kudla I, Dekoven JG (2009) Rapid development of allergic contact dermatitis from dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate. Dermatitis 20(4):214–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dooms-Goossens AE, Debusschere KM, Gevers DM, Duprr KM, Degreef HJ, Loncke JP, Snauwaert JE (1986) Contact dermatitis caused by airborne agents. A review and case reports. J Am Acad Dermatol 15(1):1–10

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engfeldt M, Goossens A, Isaksson M et al (2013) The outcome of 9 years of consecutive patch testing with 4,4o-diaminodiphenylmethane and 4,4e-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Contact Dermatitis 68:98–102

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher AA (1978) Immediate and delayed allergic contact reactions to polyethylene glycol. Contact Dermatitis 4(3):135–138

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foussereau J, Benezra CJ (1970) Les Eczemas professionnels. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Fregert S (1981) Formaldehyde dermatitis from a gypsum-melamine resin mixture. Contact Dermatitis 7(1):56

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frick-Engfeldt M, Isaksson M, Zimerson E, Bruze M (2007) How to optimize patch testing with diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Contact Dermatitis 57(3):138–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Funderburg AC (2000) Making teflon stick. Invention and Technology Magazine 16(1):10–20

    Google Scholar 

  • García Gavin J, Loureiro Martinez M, Fernandez-Redondo V, Seoane MJ, Toribio J (2008) Contact allergic dermatitis from melamine formaldehyde resins in a patient with a negative patch-test reaction to formaldehyde. Dermatitis 19(2):E5–E6

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada T, Horiguchi S (1978) Allergic contact dermatitis due to sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Contact Dermatitis 4(4):244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamada H, Bruze M, Zimerson E, Isaksson M, Engfeldt M (2017) Sensitization and cross-reactivity patterns of contact allergy to diisocyanates and corresponding amines: investigation of diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4′-diamine, dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate, and dicylohexylmethane-4,4′-diamine. Contact Dermatitis 77(4):231–241

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Heine A, Laubstein B (1990) Contact dermatitis from cyclohexanone-formaldehyde resin (L2 resin) in a hair lacquer spray. Contact Dermatitis 22(2):108

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helaskoski E, Kuuliala O, Aalto-Korte K (2009) Occupational contact urticaria caused by cyclic acid anhydrides. Contact Dermatitis 60(4):214–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Isaksson M, Ale I, Andersen K, Diepgen T, Elsner P, Goossens A, Goh CL, Jerajani H, Maibach H, Matsunaga K, McFadden J, Nixon R, Sasseville D, Bruze M, International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (2015) Multicenter patch testing with a resol resin based on phenol and formaldehyde within the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group. Dermatitis 26(5):230–234

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan WP Jr, Dahl MV Jr (1971) Contact dermatitis to a plastic solvent in eyeglasses. Cross-sensitivity to ethyl acetate. Arch Dermatol 104(5):524–528

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaddar N, Harthé C, Déchaud H, Mappus E, Pugeat M (2008) Cutaneous penetration of bisphenol A in pig skin. J Toxicol Environ Health A 71:471–473

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalimo K, Saarni H, Kytta J (1980) Immediate and delayed type reactions to formaldehyde resin in glass wool. Contact Dermatitis 6(7):496

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kanerva L, Björkner B, Estlander T et al (1996) Plastic materials: occupational exposure, skin irritancy and its prevention. In: van der Valk PGM, Maibach HI (eds) The irritant contact dermatitis syndrome. CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 127

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur S, Mursyid A, Kamaruddin A, Ariffin A (2004) Effect of petroleum derivatives and solvents on colour perception. Clin Exp Optom 87(4–5):339–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelman GR (1986) Effects of human exposure to atmospheric ε-caprolactam. Hum Exp Toxicol 5(1):57–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lanosa MJ, Willis DN, Jordt S, Morris JB (2010) Role of metabolic activation and the TRPA1 receptor in the sensory irritation response to styrene and naphthalene. Toxicol Sci 115(2):589–595

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mannoni V, Padula G, Panico O, Maggio A, Arena C, Milana MR (2017) Migration of formaldehyde and melamine from melaware and other amino resin tableware in real life service. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 34(1):113–125

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Scott I (1966) Contact textile dermatitis (with special reference to fire proof fabrics). Br J Dermatol 78(12):632–635

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moscato G, Biscaldi G, Cottica D, Pugliese F, Candura S, Candura F (1987) Occupational asthma due to styrene: two case reports. J Occup Med 29(12):957–960

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niculescu T, Todea A, Toma I, Pavel A, Niculescu R (2003) Intoxicaţia profesională cu stiren. In: Medicina muncii. Medmun, Bucharest, pp 210–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon R, Cahill J, Jolanki R (2012) Polyester resins. In: Rustemayer T, Elsner P, John SM, Maibach HI (eds) Kanerva’s occupational dermatology. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, pp 599–603

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Özkaya E, Kılıç S (2017) Polyethylene glycol as marker for nitrofurazone allergy: 20 years of experience from Turkey. Contact Dermatitis Wiley; PMID: 29193145

    Google Scholar 

  • Patiwael JA, Wintzen M, Rustemeyer T, Bruynzeel DP (2005) Airborne irritant contact dermatitis due to synthetic fibres from an air-conditioning filter. Contact Dermatitis 52(3):126–129

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piper R (1965) The hazards of painting and varnishing. Br J Ind Med 22(4):247–260

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rietschel RL, Fowler JF (2008) Teflon. In: Rietschel RL, Fowler JF (eds) Fisher’s contact dermatitis, 6th edn. McGraw Hill, New York, p 335, 422, 542, 680, 688, 673

    Google Scholar 

  • Romaguera C, Grimalt F, Vilaplana J (1989) Eczematous and purpuric allergic contact dermatitis from boots. Contact Dermatitis 21(4):269

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ross JS, Rycroft RJ, Cronin E (1992) Melamine-formaldehyde contact dermatitis in orthopaedic practice. Contact Dermatitis 26(3):203–204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rudnick M (2009) Material safety data sheets. Product name: Dry PTFE Lube (aerosol). Product number (s): 03044, 73044. CRC industries: 670/670A. Revision date: 22 July 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudzki E (1978) Dermatitis from epoxy resin, triethylentetramine and ethylendiamine. Contact Dermatitis 4:53–59

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rusu A (2009) Masele plastice. In: Cocârlă A (ed) Medicina ocupaţională, vol II. Medicală Universitară “Iuliu Haţieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, pp 1399–1423

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainio EL, Engström K, Henriks-Eckerman ML, Kanerva L (1997) Allergenic ingredients in nail polishes. Contact Dermatitis 37(4):155–162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmunes E (1990) Solvents and plasticizers. In: Adams RM (ed) Occupational skin diseases, 2nd edn. WB Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwandt NW, Gound TG (2003) Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin “Russian Red” endodontic therapy. J Endod 29(7):435–437

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sjöborg S, Fregert S, Trulsson L (1984) Contact allergy to styrene and related chemicals. Contact Dermatitis 10(2):94–96

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stenberg B, Bruze M, Zimerson E (2016) Is p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (PTBP-FR) in TRUE Test® (Mekos test) sensitizing the tested patients? Contact Dermatitis 73(6):350–357

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Svara J, Weferling N, Hofmann T (2006) Phosphorus compounds, organic. In: Ullmann′s encyclopedia of industrial chemistry. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim

    Google Scholar 

  • Swan SH (2008) Environmental phthalate exposure in relation to reproductive outcomes and other health endpoints in human. Environ Res 108(2):177–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thestrup-Pedersen K, Madsen JB, Rasmussen K (1989) Cumulative skin irritance from heat-decomposed polyethylene plastic. In: Frosch PJ, Dooms-Goossens A, Lachapelle J-M, Rycroft RJ, Scheper RJ (eds) Current topics in contact dermatitis. Springer, Berlin, p 12

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vale PT, Rycroft RJ (1988) Occupational irritant contact dermatitis from fibreboard containing urea formaldehyde resin. Contact Dermatitis 19(1):62

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valesky EM, Kaufmann R, Meissner M (2014) Contact allergy to compression stockings: is this possible? Phlebologie 43:140–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams LL (2002) Amino resins and plastics. In: Kirk-Othmer encyclopedia of chemical technology. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamasuji Y, Higashi Y, Sakanoue M, Katsue H, Kawai K, Arai N, Kanekura T (2013) A case of anaphylaxis caused by polyethylene glycol analogues. Contact Dermatitis 69(3):183–185

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colentina Clinical Hospital, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dermatology 2, Bucharest, Romania

    George-Sorin Ţiplica

  2. Department of Occupational Health, Belsana Grup LLC, Bucharest, Romania

    Letiţia Bucur

  3. Bucharest, Romania

    Gheorghe Bucur

  4. Colentina Clinical Hospital, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pediatric Dermatology, Bucharest, Romania

    Carmen Maria Sălăvăstru

Authors
  1. George-Sorin Ţiplica
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Letiţia Bucur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gheorghe Bucur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Carmen Maria Sălăvăstru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George-Sorin Ţiplica .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany

    Swen Malte John

  2. National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Hellerup, Denmark

    Jeanne Duus Johansen

  3. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Thomas Rustemeyer

  4. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany

    Peter Elsner

  5. Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Ţiplica, GS., Bucur, L., Bucur, G., Sălăvăstru, C.M. (2020). Other Plastics. In: John, S., Johansen, J., Rustemeyer, T., Elsner, P., Maibach, H. (eds) Kanerva’s Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68617-2_55

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68617-2_55

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-68615-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-68617-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation