Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by isothiazolinones in water‐based paints: a retrospective study of 44 cases. (27th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amsler, Emmanuelle; Aerts, Olivier; Raison‐Peyron, Nadia; Debons, Michèle; Milpied, Brigitte; Giordano‐Labadie, Françoise; Waton, Julie; Ferrier‐Le Bouëdec, Marie C.; Lartigau, Isabelle; Pecquet, Catherine; Assier, Haudrey; Avenel‐Audran, Martine; Bernier, Claire; Castelain, Florence; Collet, Evelyne; Crépy, Marie‐Noëlle; Genillier, Nathalie; Girardin, Pascal; Pralong, Pauline; Tetart, Florence; Vital‐Durand, Dominique; Soria, Angele; Barbaud, Annick
• Is Part Of: Contact dermatitis. Volume 77:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2017-04-27
• Subjects: airborne allergic contact dermatitis -- benzisothiazolinone -- isothiazolinones -- methylchloroisothiazolinone -- methylisothiazolinone -- octylisothiazolinone -- respiratory symptoms -- water‐based paint; Contact dermatitis -- Periodicals; 616.51
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.12795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-1873

Abstract

Summary: Background: Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by paints containing isothiazolinones has been recognized as a health hazard. Objectives: To collect epidemiological, clinical and patch test data on airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by isothiazolinone‐containing paints in France and Belgium. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was initiated by the Dermatology and Allergy Group of the French Society of Dermatology, including methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/methylisothiazolinone (MI)‐ and/or MI‐sensitized patients who developed airborne allergic contact dermatitis following exposure to isothiazolinone‐containing paint. Results: Forty‐four cases were identified, with mostly non‐occupational exposure (79.5%). Of the patients, 22.5% of also had mucosal symptoms. In several cases, the dermatitis required systemic corticosteroids (27.3%), hospitalization (9.1%), and/or sick leave (20.5%). A median delay of 5.5 weeks was necessary to enable patients to enter a freshly painted room without a flare‐up of their dermatitis. Approximately one‐fifth of the patients knew that they were allergic to MI and/or MCI/MI before the exposure to paints occurred. Conclusion: Our series confirms that airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by paints containing isothiazolinones is not rare, and may be severe and long‐lasting. Better regulation of isothiazolinone concentrations in paints, and their adequate labelling, is urgently needed. Abstract :