Occupational contact allergy to glyoxal
K. Aalto-Korte*1, E. Mäkelä2, M. Huttonen1, K. Suuronen1, R. Jolanki1
1Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
2Department of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
Background
Glyoxal is a dialdehyde and used as a disinfectant in health care and dentistry work. Allergic contact dermatitis from glyoxal has been described in these occupational fields.
Methods
We analysed our patient data from 1998-2004 for allergic reactions to glyoxal.
Results
20 patients had allergic reactions to glyoxal on patch testing. 5 patients worked in dentistry, and 4 of them had present exposure to glyoxal. 9 patients were machinists without obvious exposure to glyoxal. A grinder with work-related facial dermatitis is presented in detail. In the chemical analysis of air samples from his workplace 9.4 - 21 mg/m3 glyoxal was detected. Glyoxal was also present in the used metal working fluid, and it was apparently formed during grinding. The remaining 6 patients worked in miscellaneous occupations and had no present exposure to glyoxal.
Conclusion
Glyoxal is irritant on patch testing. Especially solitary reactions to glyoxal 10% in aq. may be false positive irritant reactions. 9 (45%) of our patients reacted to other aldehydes, formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Glyoxal is an important allergen in dentistry and medical care, and we recommend it to be added in the antimicrobial patch test series. It also seems to be a 'hidden' allergen in the machinery industry.
Content last modified: 21 May 2005
