Oil of turpentine — a disappearing allergen

Abstract

Oil of turpentine, formerly a cause of allergic occupational dermatitis, has become an infrequent [human] allergen because of its replacement by the petroleum product white spirit, its deliberate exclusion from industrial products, and because the balsam oils used presently do not contain the sensitizer .DELTA.3-carene. Based on the generally low incidence of sensitization being currently recorded, the International Contact Dermatitis Group recommended that oil of turpentine be removed from standard patch test series.