Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-81-247-958, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ltd., Ridgefield, Connecticut

摘要

On March 23, 1981, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation from Boehringer Ingelheim, Ltd., Ridgefield, Connecticut. The request stated that approximately 15 employees in the office support area of a production building had been experiencing rashes since the beginning of March 1981. Environmental sampling did not reveal any diethylaminoethanol in air samples. However, results of sampling suggested the presence of a conjugated amine which possesses acidic properties. The specific agent could not be identified. Skin examinations revealed an irritant-type rash on the exposed areas of the face, neck, and hands. The distribution of the rash was consistent with and suggestive of a phototoxic skin reaction. Both the environmental and medical evaluations indicated the source of the dermatitis to be the air-handling system. However, no specific etiologic agent has been identified. The information in the body of the full report suggests that a condensation or reaction product of diethylaminoethanol was likely responsible for the reported symptoms.