Occupational asthma from rosin on violin bow strings.

Is there any risk of contracting Occupational Asthma from the use of Rosin on violin bow strings? As this forms a fine powder.

Occupational Asthma, Worker, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

Rosin is a major cause of occupational asthma, but as far as I know has not been documented in string players. Rosin is derived from pine resin, the spirit fraction is terpentine, the resinous fraction rosin (often called colophony). It is made up of a number of resin acids, the most prominent is abietic acid, and a neutral fraction. To get asthma the rosin has to be inhaled. The most common place for this to happen is when used as an electronic soldering flux, where occupational asthma is common. Cases have also been described when used as a hot-melt glue, and a depilatory for chicken feathers, and in chemical production. It is also a common cause of contact dermatitis, and is the cause of the (old fashioned) sticking plaster rash. It has been described as a cause of dermatitis in violinists (and tug-of-war athletes who rub rosin onto the rope to increase grip, in the same manner as used on a stringed instruement). I would be interested to know whether there are any alternatives for use on violin strings.

2/20/2006