Impact of occupational contact allergy to propylene glycol in cases of occupational skin disease

Abstract

Propylene glycol (PG) is a very weak contact allergen. Sensitization is mainly acquired by application of PG-containing topical preparations onto pre-damaged or inflamed skin. Diagnosing contact allergy to PG is hampered by the irritant potential of higher test concentrations under patch test occlusion. Test reactions to PG 20% in water are poorly reproducible and often false-positive. Contact allergy to PG cannot be diagnosed from a single positive patch test. PG has a very wide usage. It may be found in cosmetics and body care products, topical medicaments, plastics, water-miscible metalworking fluids, liquid detergents, cleaning agents, colours, antifreeze agents, aircraft de-icing agents, theatre mist, pet food, and tobacco products. However, occupational skin contact with PG is avoidable in most cases, and up to now, only one single case of probably occupationally acquired contact allergy to PG has been reported. Chemical-resistant gloves made of nitrile rubber with a thickness of > 0.4 mm are recommended for hand protection against prolonged contact with PG. Occupational contact sensitization to PG has a ``low grade'' impact on the reduction of the earning capacity in cases of occupational skin disease according to No. 5101 of the corresponding German regulation.