Ethylenediamine industrial dermatitis

Coenraads PJ, Foo SC, Phoon WO, Lun KC (1985) Dermatitis in small scale metal industries. Contact Dermatitis 12 155-160 Crow KD, Peachey BDG, Adams JE (1978) Coolant oil dermatitis due to ethylenediamine. Contact Dermatitis 4 359-361 Dalquist I (1984) Contact allergy to cutting oil preservatives Bioban CS-1246 and P-1487. Contact Dermatitis 10 46 De Boer EM, Van Ketel WG, Bruynzeel DP (1989) Dermatoses in metal workers - (1) Irritant contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 20 212-218... 

Ethylenediamine hydrochloride is used in topical preparations and is a common sensitizer (Epstein and Maibach 1968). Sensitive patients can react with dermatitis when the ethylenediamine is taken systemically (Provost and Jillson 1967). It may cross-react with ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) which is used as a preservative in eyedrops and in the cosmetic industry (Raymond and Gross 1969). EDTA is also used as a sequestrant in food systems it acts synergistically to several antioxidants and may be present in fats, oils, salad dressings, meat, seafood, vegetables, beverages, and dairy products (Furia 1972). 

Aminophylline is a 2/1 mixture of theophylline and ethylenediamine. It caused contact dermatitis industrial plants, in pharmacists, and Ethylenediamine is the sensitizer, and patch testing is generally positive to both ethylenediamine and aminophylline, but negative to theophylline. 

Ethylenediamine is used in numerous industrial processes as a solvent for casein or albumin, as a stabilizer in rubber latex and as a textile lubricant. It can be found in epoxy-resin hardeners, cooling oils, fungicides, and waxes. Contact dermatitis from ethylenediamine is almost exclusively due to topical medicaments. Occupational contact dermatitis in epoxy-resin systems is rather infrequent. Ethylenediamine can cross react with triethylenetetramine and diethylenetriamine. Ethylenediamine was responsible for sensitization in pharmacists handling aminophylline suppositories, in nurses preparing and administering injectable theophylline, and in a laboratory technician in the manufacture of aminophylline tablets. 

---