Glyoxal is an important allergen for (medical care) cleaning staff

While disinfection is essential in medical practice, it carries the risk of serious adverse effects, including allergic contact dermatitis. To assess the current importance of glyoxal [CAS 107-22-2] as occupational allergen, a retrospective descriptive analysis of records of an occupational dermatit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hygiene and environmental health 2001-12, Vol.204 (4), p.251-253
Main Authors: Uter, W, Schwanitz, H J, Lessmann, H, Schnuch, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact - etiology
Female
Glyoxal - adverse effects
Glyoxal - immunology
Health Personnel
Housekeeping
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
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Summary:While disinfection is essential in medical practice, it carries the risk of serious adverse effects, including allergic contact dermatitis. To assess the current importance of glyoxal [CAS 107-22-2] as occupational allergen, a retrospective descriptive analysis of records of an occupational dermatitis clinic in Osnabrück and of national surveillance data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) in Germany and Austria was performed. Of 189 highly selected patients with occupational dermatitis tested with glyoxal (1% in water or, as trimer, 1% in petrolatum) in Osnabrück, 11 had positive reactions to glyoxal, which were occupationally relevant in 9 cases. Causative occupations included mainly nursing and room cleaning. In a less selected population of 2626 additional patients tested in other centres of the IVDK, 40 further positive reactions to glyoxal were observed. Concomitant sensitisation to glutardialdehyde and formaldehyde, respectively, was frequently observed. In conclusion, glyoxal should be tested in all patients with contact dermatitis working in occupations with possible exposure to respective disinfecting/cleaning agents.
ISSN:1438-4639
DOI:10.1078/1438-4639-00099