Multiple type IV-allergies against preservatives and their impact upon fitness for work [Bewertung der auswirkung von berufsbedingten typ-IV-sensibilisierungen gegen mehrere konservierungsmittel im rahmen der feststellung einer minderung der erwerbsfähigkeit gemäß der Nr. 5101 der anlage 1 zur berufskrankheitenverordnung]

Abstract

Preservatives are frequently used in industrial products in occupational environments, as well as in personal care and household products. In both, the occupational and the non-occupational usage, respectively, a tremendous change in dispersion can be observed over time. When evaluating the consequences of contact allergies to preservatives in the context of an occupational skin disease (No. 5101 according to the German regulation for occupational diseases) it is necessary to distinguish between an occupationally acquired from a non-occupational Type IV-allergy to preservatives with respect to the individual exposure, and if contact allergies to several preservatives are present simultaneously, to conclusively evaluate their relevance concerning inflicted occupational fields and subsequent reduction of earning capacity. The coincidence of contact allergy to several preservatives does not automati-cally inflict more occupational fields. The number of inflicted occupational fields will be unchanged if the respective preservatives are used in identical occupational fields. © 2010 Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle.