Sensitizing capacity of two monomeric aldehyde components in p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin

Abstract

Contact allergy to p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin is not rare. This resin consists of a large number of substances, most of which are unknown. For diagnostic and preventive reasons, the chemical identity of the sensitizers should be known as well as their sensitizing capacities, cross-reaction patterns and presence in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitizing capacities and cross-reaction patterns for 5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-benzaldehyde and 5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde in the guinea pig maximization test. 2,6-Dimethylol p-tert-butylphenol, p-tert-butylcate chol, 2-methylol p-tert-butylphenol, p-tert-butylphenol, 4-tert-butyl-2-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-benzyloxymethyl)-6-hydroxymethyl-phenol and 4-tert-butyl-2-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzyloxymethyl)-phenol were used as potential cross-reacting substances. 5-tert-Butyl-2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-benzaldehyde was shown to be a sensitizer (p = 0.041). In animals induced with this compound no cross-reactions to the putative cross-reacting substances were seen. In contrast, 5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde failed to induce sensitization and no cross-reactions were detected.