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. 2021 Jul-Aug;47(4):e20200577. doi: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20200577

Chart 1. Most common sensitizers, by molecular weight (high or low), as well as commonly associated occupations/workplaces and exposures.

Sensitizer Occupation/Workplace/Exposure
High molecular weight (≥ 5 kDa)
Flours and grains bakers, food industry
Latex health care workers; producers and frequent users of latex products
Enzymes manufacture and use of detergents; pharmaceutical and food industries
Plant-derived products agricultural workers
Animals and animal-derived products laboratories, veterinaries, agricultural workers
Fungi offices, schools, cleaners
Low molecular weight (< 5 kDa)
Diisocyanates polyurethane production; foam production; automotive paint and polyurethane varnish; plastics industry
Persulfates hairdressers
Metals (chrome, nickel, cobalt, zinc, platinum salts) metal coatings (galvanization), welders, pharmaceutical industry, and refineries
Quaternary ammonium compounds cleaners
Acrylates dentists, adhesive resins, synthetic fabrics, printer inks, plastics industry, manicurists
Wood dust carpenters
Cleaning products: chloride, ammonia, glutaraldehyde cleaners and health care workers
Drugs (e.g., antibiotics) pharmaceutical industry
Phthalic and trimellitic anhydrides epoxy resin manufacture, spray paint workers