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Physicochemical Methods for Detection of Occupational Contact Allergens

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Handbook of Occupational Dermatology

Abstract

Many allergens are widely used in both environmental and occupational products. In many cases, it is difficult to know all the ingredients of a product since most products are not sufficiently labeled. To diagnose and prevent allergic contact dermatitis, the demonstration of allergens in products from the patient’s environment is important. Chemical analysis of a product can make it possible to demonstrate the presence or absence of known allergens. Simple spot tests or documented analytical methods, such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), can be used. Moreover, with chemical methods, the purity of a substance can be checked and new allergens can be isolated and identified. Advanced methods such as mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and infrared spectrophotometry (IR) are often required to identify isolated allergens.

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Authors
  1. B. Gruvberger
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  2. M. Bruze
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  3. S. Fregert
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 aA, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Lasse Kanerva M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Occupational Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, 117 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Jan E. Wahlberg M.D., Ph.D.

  3. National Institute for Working Life, 117 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Jan E. Wahlberg M.D., Ph.D.

  4. Klinik für Hautkrankheiten, Klinikum der FSU Jena, Erfurter Straße 35, 07740, Jena, Germany

    P. Elsner

  5. School of Medicine, University of California, Box 0989, Surge 100, 94143-0989, CA, San Francisco, USA

    Howard I. Maibach M.D.

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Gruvberger, B., Bruze, M., Fregert, S. (2000). Physicochemical Methods for Detection of Occupational Contact Allergens. In: Kanerva, L., Wahlberg, J.E., Elsner, P., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Handbook of Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07677-4_48

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07677-4_48

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-07679-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-07677-4

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