Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis Caused by Mercaptobenzothiazole in DS2 Dust Mask Straps During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Outbreak and Proposal of Safer Alternatives.
{"title":"Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis Caused by Mercaptobenzothiazole in DS2 Dust Mask Straps During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Outbreak and Proposal of Safer Alternatives.","authors":"Shigeruko Iijima, Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Masayo Kimura, Nobuko Sasaki, Fumiko Miyazawa, Yoko Mori, Maiko Tahara, Kayoko Matsunaga","doi":"10.1111/cod.70007","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The global COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the widespread use of dust masks, including N95 and DS2, in healthcare settings. Although allergic contact dermatitis caused by dust mask straps has been reported, component analysis of the straps is rare. We encountered an outbreak of dermatitis cases due to rubber straps of a DS2 mask (Mask A) at our hospital.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the cause of dermatitis associated with Mask A rubber strap, identify the allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis and propose suitable alternative masks.</p><p><strong>Patients/methods: </strong>Twelve healthcare workers who developed contact dermatitis after wearing Mask A were enrolled. A detailed questionnaire, chemical analyses of Mask A rubber straps and alternatives and patch testing with identified components of the straps were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve cases (nine females, three males; mean age 47.8 ± 11.1 years) had no prior history of contact rubber allergy. The straps of Mask A contained thiazole-type vulcanisation accelerators and degradation products. Patch testing revealed sensitisation to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2,2'-dithiobis(benzothiazole) and 2-(methylthio)benzothiazole in eight, three and five cases, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole in Mask A straps was diagnosed in eight cases. All affected individuals successfully switched to alternative masks without recurrence.</p>","PeriodicalId":10527,"journal":{"name":"Contact Dermatitis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Contact Dermatitis","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.70007","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ALLERGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the widespread use of dust masks, including N95 and DS2, in healthcare settings. Although allergic contact dermatitis caused by dust mask straps has been reported, component analysis of the straps is rare. We encountered an outbreak of dermatitis cases due to rubber straps of a DS2 mask (Mask A) at our hospital.
Objectives: To investigate the cause of dermatitis associated with Mask A rubber strap, identify the allergens responsible for allergic contact dermatitis and propose suitable alternative masks.
Patients/methods: Twelve healthcare workers who developed contact dermatitis after wearing Mask A were enrolled. A detailed questionnaire, chemical analyses of Mask A rubber straps and alternatives and patch testing with identified components of the straps were performed.
Results: Twelve cases (nine females, three males; mean age 47.8 ± 11.1 years) had no prior history of contact rubber allergy. The straps of Mask A contained thiazole-type vulcanisation accelerators and degradation products. Patch testing revealed sensitisation to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2,2'-dithiobis(benzothiazole) and 2-(methylthio)benzothiazole in eight, three and five cases, respectively.
Conclusion: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to 2-mercaptobenzothiazole in Mask A straps was diagnosed in eight cases. All affected individuals successfully switched to alternative masks without recurrence.
期刊介绍：
Contact Dermatitis is designed primarily as a journal for clinicians who are interested in various aspects of environmental dermatitis. This includes both allergic and irritant (toxic) types of contact dermatitis, occupational (industrial) dermatitis and consumers" dermatitis from such products as cosmetics and toiletries. The journal aims at promoting and maintaining communication among dermatologists, industrial physicians, allergists and clinical immunologists, as well as chemists and research workers involved in industry and the production of consumer goods. Papers are invited on clinical observations, diagnosis and methods of investigation of patients, therapeutic measures, organisation and legislation relating to the control of occupational and consumers".
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
