title: Occupational contact dermatitis in the wind energy industry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2010, wind energy coverage in Spain increased by 16%, making the country the world's fourth largest producer in a fast-developing industry that is also a source of employment. Occupational skin diseases in this field have received little attention. The present study aims to describe the main characteristics of skin diseases affecting workers in the wind energy industry and the allergens involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a descriptive, observational study of workers from the wind energy industry with suspected contact dermatitis who were referred to the occupational dermatology clinic of the National School of Occupational Medicine (Escuela Nacional de Medicina del Trabajo) between 2009 and 2011. We took both a clinical history and an occupational history, and patients underwent a physical examination and patch testing with the materials used in their work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 10 workers (8 men, 2 women), with a mean age of 33.7 years. The main finding was dermatitis, which affected the face, eyelids, forearms, and hands. Sensitization to epoxy resins was detected in 4 workers, 1 of whom was also sensitized to epoxy curing agents. One worker was sensitized to bisphenol F resin but had a negative result with epoxy resin from the standard series. In the 5 remaining cases, the final diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis due to fiberglass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational skin diseases are increasingly common in the wind energy industry. The main allergens are epoxy resins. Fiberglass tends to produce irritation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Dermatología, Hospital Central Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Mexico. gabi_larraga@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lárraga-Piñones
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heras-Mendaza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conde-Salazar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens