title: Sensitization and lung function in workers occupationally exposed to natural thickening products.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three workers engaged in the manufacture of natural thickener products (Cassia spp., guar, and tamarind flour) were occupationally sensitized to Cassia spp. Therefore, a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of sensitization among and respiratory health of the employees of this plant was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-two workers (36 with high, 26 with low exposure) participated in the survey. Skin prick tests and specific IgE tests with extracts of these components revealed that 11.3% were sensitized to Cassia spp. and 9.7% to at least one species of storage mites, with a significantly higher portion of atopic subjects in the sensitized group. Overall, 55% of the subjects reported work-related symptoms (upper and lower airways, eyes, or skin). FVC % pred. was significantly lower in highly exposed workers, while RV % pred. and RV%TLC % pred. were significantly higher in this group. In the multivariate model, sensitization was not a risk factor for impairment of lung function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dust exposure to flours may not only cause allergic sensitization but also induce chronic changes in lung function.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Radon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pethran
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D007073:Immunoglobulin E