Epoxy-based production of wind turbine rotor blades: occupational dermatoses.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: A Pontén, O Carstensen, K Rasmussen, B Gruvberger, M Isaksson, M Bruze
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 50 Issue 6 Pg. 329-38 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 0105-1873 [Print] England
• PMID: 15274722 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Epoxy Resins

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Irritant (diagnosis, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Occupational (diagnosis, etiology)
• Epoxy Resins (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patch Tests