Epoxy-based production of wind turbine rotor blades: occupational dermatoses.
Occupational dermatoses were investigated in a factory producing rotor blades for wind turbines by an epoxy-based process. In a blinded study design, 603 workers were first interviewed and thereafter clinically examined. Based on a history of work-related skin disease, clinical findings of dermatitis, or both, 325 (53.9%) of the workers were patch tested with a specially profiled occupational patch-test series and the European standard patch-test series. Calculated on all investigated workers, 17.1% of the workers were diagnosed with occupational dermatoses caused by work. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis was found in 10.9% of the workers. The estimated frequency of irritant contact dermatitis caused by work was 6.1%. Dermatitis on the hands was associated with contact allergy to epoxy resin (P = 0.017). The number of days on leave before the clinical examination was negatively associated with the presence of dermatitis (P = 0.001). Among workers employed 7-12 months, the frequency of occupational contact allergy was higher than that among workers employed for </=6 months (P = 0.004). Females both washed their hands more often (P < 0.001) and used more moisturizers/protection creams at work (P < 0.001) than males. No sex differences were found concerning dermatitis on the hands.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. ann.ponten@skane.se
A
A
Pontén
O
O
Carstensen
K
K
Rasmussen
B
B
Gruvberger
M
M
Isaksson
M
M
Bruze
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests
D004853:Epoxy Resins