Thiurame
Synonym(s)
Dipentamethylene thiuram disulfide (DPTD)
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Evaluation of thiurams with regard to the effect of allergy on the reduction of the ability to work:
- Thiurams are used as vulcanization accelerators in the manufacture of rubber products from natural and synthetic rubber. They can be combined with other vulcanization accelerators, e.g. dithiocarbamates or mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives. Thiurams are also used as biocides in agriculture and plant production (repellents, fungicides, game damage prevention agents) and are still approved for this purpose under the new Plant Protection Products Ordinance. Tetraethyldiuram sulfide (TETD, disulfiram) is used as a drug in alcohol weaning (antabuse) and as a chelating agent in nickel intoxications.
- In allergological diagnostics tests are carried out with a thiuram mix containing four thiurams. The thiurams tested are tetramethylthiuram sulfide (TMTS), tetraethylthiuram sulfide (TETD), tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TMTM) and dipentamethylenethiuram disulfide (DPTD).
- According to studies, 1.4-5.4% sensitizations against thiurams occur in Europe; women are more frequently affected than men. The most frequent cause is sensitization to rubber gloves. In some cases, the sensitisation rates were significantly higher due to the use of thiurams as reaction accelerators in the manufacture of protective and rubber gloves (up to 27% among members of the medical profession with hand eczema). Sensitization to thiurams is often combined with latex allergies in medical professionals with contact eczema.
- Effect of an allergy: Usually "minor" because of the many possible substitutes in most areas of exposure and the tendency to do without thiurams in rubber gloves. "Moderate" in the case of a high degree of sensitisation (e.g. reaction to minute amounts in clothing rubber or in rubber articles).
- Relevant occupational exposures: All professions in which protective gloves are regularly worn (rubber manufacturer/vulcaniser, doctor/dentist, nurse/medical assistant, bricklayer/construction worker, metal deformer, textile manufacturer/processor, cleaner, geriatric nurse) have a significantly increased risk of a thiuram allergy, but are not closed because thiuram-free protective gloves are available. Activities in plant production, pesticide production, floriculture or agriculture are sometimes closed if thiuram-based fungicides cannot be avoided.
Remember! Thiurams show the highest sensitization rates of all rubber additives.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Diepgen TL et al. (2005) Evidence-based assessment of the effect of type IV allergies in the reduction of earning capacity - assessment of occupational skin diseases. Dermatologist 56: 207-223
- Diepgen TL, Dickel H, Becker D, John SM, Geier J, Mahler V, Rogosky E, Schmidt A, Skudlik C, Wagner E, Weisshaar E, for the working group "Evaluation of allergens in BK 5101" of the Working Group for Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in the German Dermatological Society (2008) Assessment of the effect of allergies in the reduction of earning capacity in the context of BK 5101: Thiurams, mercaptobenzothiazoles, dithiocarbamates, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine. Evaluation of the effects of allergies on the reduction in earning capacity in the context of BK 5101: thiurams, mercaptobenzothiazoles, dithiocarbamates, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamines]. Dermatol Occupation Environment 56: 11-24
- Pardo A et al (2007) The effect of physical and chemical properties of swimming pool water and its close environment on the development of contact dermatitis in hydrotherapists. Am J Ind Med 50: 122-126