Occupational Asthma Reference
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Abramson MJ, Sim MR, Fritschi L, Vincent T, Benke G, Rolland JM,
Respiratory disorders and allergies in tea packers,
Occup Med (London),
2001;51:259-265,
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Keywords: Prick test, post shift FEV1, questionnaire, epidemiology, chamomile, camomile, black tea,
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether respiratory symptoms or cross-shift declines in lung function were related to occupational exposure to tea dust. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted at a tea-packing plant. Subjects completed a questionnaire, spirometry before and after a full work shift, skin prick testing and venipuncture. Among the 83% of the workers at the site who participated, the prevalences of asthma, wheezing, hay fever and atopy were similar to the general population. Work-related nasal symptoms were more commonly reported by blenders and operators. There were six (3.2%) subjects with a cross-shift decline in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s of > 10%. Specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to black or chamomile tea were observed in 10 (5.6%) employees. As there was little evidence of specific allergic sensitization to the tea varieties tested, the excess of work-related respiratory and nasal symptoms probably represented non-specific irritation.
Full Text
Comments
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The conclusions that the reactions are irriotant is not supported by the positive spt to chamomile and the subsequent demonstration of a positive challenge test to chamomile dust
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