Increased asthma deaths in food, beverage and tobacco product workers

Asthma mortality is fortunately declining, and reported cases due to occupational asthma rare. This study from the USA reports proportional mortality from asthma related to broad occupational groups. The highest proportional mortality in men (1.82) is in the food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing industry, which included bakers and others making pre-prepared food and drinks, many of which contain genetically modified enzymes that are potential sensitisers and can lead to very acute reactions. There are also some reports of asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in tobacco product manufacturers

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