Occupational Allergic Dermatitis Induced by an Epoxy Hardener Alkylamine

Epoxy resins have been widely used in commercial applications, and their adverse health effects have been mostly reported in occupational settings. The most frequent adverse effects are irritation or allergic mechanisms involving the dermal and respiratory systems. Sensitization is usually caused by low molecular weight or short-chain compounds. We report here two workers exposed to an epoxy resin and a newly developed epoxy hardener, alkylamine, who developed severe dermatitis. The chemicals were used as components of asphalt. We identified the epoxy hardener as the causative material in the dermatitis by a patch test.