Methyloctlbenzenesulphonate, a new industrial sensitizing agent.

Occasional outbreaks of dermatitis caused by allergic reactions to chemicals occur in industry (Squire, Cruickshank, and Topley, 1950). For example, the sensitizing properties of the explosive " tetryl " are now well recognized, while on a smaller scale the manufacture of pyrethrum powder gives rise to a large proportion of sensitization rashes among exposed workers (Martin and Hester, 1941). Schwartz, Tulipan, and Peck (1947) provide a long list of substances with sensitizing properties. This paper describes an outbreak of skin disease which was found to be due to a chemical sensitizing agent not previously recognized. Early in 1951 a new process was begun for the preparation of a highly charged compound, methyltriethylammoniumoctylbenzenesulphonate, for incorporation in an antistatic lubricant. This material was produced originally in a pilot plant and it happened that several chemical engineers exposed to it developed acute transient skin rashes and swelling of the eyelids and lachrymation. The final material is produced in five stages, and the workers concerned held the opinion that the skin troubles were due to some agent in stage 4 of the process. In stage 4 the following reaction is carried out