Document Detail


Formaldehyde-related textile allergy: an update.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  9687033     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Part I of this study explores whether clothing today contains formaldehyde levels likely to cause contact allergy in formaldehyde-allergic patients. Part II of this study examines whether current reactions to textiles may be due to allergy to textile resins and whether individuals with formaldehyde-related textile allergy will react to the newer low formaldehyde resins used in the textile industry. Part I: free formaldehyde was measured in 16 fabric specimens produced in the US and overseas. Additionally, since the textile industry has moved to the use of newer methods for measuring fabric formaldehyde content, the newer methodology was compared with the older methods used in the medical literature. Part II: 10 subjects with known textile contact allergy were patch tested to available Chemotechnique textile resins and 6 new low-formaldehyde resins used by the textile industry. Part I: 8 fabric specimens yielded no detectable formaldehyde and 7 specimens yielded <200 ppm free formaldehyde, using Schiff's reagent and Merck testing methods. 1 specimen showed approximately 2000 ppm formaldehyde, as measured by the Merck test, but only 24 ppm free formaldehyde when retested by the method described in Japanese Law #112. Part II: all subjects reacted strongly to formaldehyde and DMDHEU (the predominant resin currently used in textiles). 6 subjects reacted to EUMF. 2 subjects had mild reactions to the newer low-formaldehyde resins and 1 to the non-formaldehyde Fixapret NF. Our results suggest that most clothing today yields free formaldehyde levels unlikely to cause contact allergy in formaldehyde-allergic individuals. Japanese method #112 is the recommended methodology to measure free formaldehyde in future studies. DMDHEU may now represent the main cause of textile allergy and may be a better screen than EUMF for this problem. Newer resins yielding fabrics with <75 ppm free formaldehyde may cause occasional reactions, but are more likely to be tolerated by individuals with textile contact allergy. Treatment of these individuals should be directed at identification of reliable sources of garments utilizing these newer resins.
Authors:
A J Scheman; P A Carroll; K H Brown; A H Osburn
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Contact dermatitis     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0105-1873     ISO Abbreviation:  Contact Derm.     Publication Date:  1998 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1998-10-01     Completed Date:  1998-10-01     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7604950     Medline TA:  Contact Dermatitis     Country:  DENMARK    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  332-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / diagnosis,  etiology*,  prevention & control
Female
Formaldehyde / adverse effects*,  analogs & derivatives,  analysis*
Humans
Imidazoles / administration & dosage,  adverse effects
Male
Middle Aged
Resins, Plant / administration & dosage,  adverse effects
Textile Industry
Textiles / adverse effects*,  analysis
United States
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Imidazoles; 0/Resins, Plant; 1854-26-8/dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea; 50-00-0/Formaldehyde

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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