Propylene Glycol Dermatitis in the Printing Industry: The Fundamental Role of a Workplace Visit

Abstract

Workers in the printing industry serve as an example of a working population that is at high risk of developing occupational skin disease. Daily exposures include both irritants and sensitizing agents. While many substances have been associated with occupational contact dermatitis in this population, no detailed cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from propylene glycol (PG) have been reported to date. We present a case of a printing tradesman who developed work-related ACD from PG and who was subsequently able to return to work after a multidisciplinary team assessment that included a comprehensive worksite visit by a clinical occupational hygienist.