Respiratory disorders and allergies in tea packers.
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.
Abramson
M J
MJ
Departments of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. michael.abramson@med.monash.edu.au
Sim
M R
MR
Fritschi
L
L
Vincent
T
T
Benke
G
G
Rolland
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013662:Tea / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D004391:Dust; D013662:Tea; D007073:Immunoglobulin E