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VAM-Velferd, arbeid og migrasjon

Exposure to epoxy resin systems and hypersensitivity among workers in the surface coating industry

Tildelt: kr 21 029

Due to unique technical properties, epoxy resin systems (ERS) is among the major surface coating products used in Norway. ERS comprise compounds that are potential sensitizers, and exposure to ERS is a recognized cause of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and occupational asthma. Due to lack of proper methodology to sample and analyse ERS compounds, information on exposure levels is lacking. Lately, better analytical services for environmental and biological monitoring of ERS-related agents have become available, and the use of these are promising for future exposure assessment of ERS. However, because of the wide variety of components used in ERS, no single agent can be used to monitor exposure, and the sampling strategy must be decided depending on the product recipe. For assessment of allergic contact dermatitis, no single chemical can be used to screen for sensitization, and commercially available patch test series do not cover the full spectrum. Furthermore, new products comprising new chemicals are constantly developed by the ERS-producers, making many of the presently available epoxy patch tests outdated. In this pre-project, we aim to get an updated overview of the ERS used by Norwegian surface coaters, and their content of sensitizing agents; identify available methods used to assess surface coaters’ occupational dermal and inhalable exposure to, and their uptake of relevant ERS compounds; and identify the need to supplement epoxy patch test series. To meet these aims we will build networks and establish collaboration with industrial producers and users of surface coating products, experts on air- and biomonitoring of ERS components and world leading researchers on occupational dermal and respiratory diseases and specific diagnostic testing related to ERS.

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VAM-Velferd, arbeid og migrasjon