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Occupational asthma from inhaled egg protein.

Smith AB; Bernstein DI; Aw T-C; Gallagher JS; London M; Kopp S; Carson GA

Am J Ind Med 1987 Aug; 12(2):205-218

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700120209

00172814

The association between occupational asthma and inhalation of dust containing egg proteins was evaluated in an egg processing facility (SIC-2015) where raw eggs were processed into powdered egg yolk and whole egg. Respirable and total dust samples were collected in the sifter and packaging rooms. Personal dust exposures in the two rooms were 12.8 and 7.3mg/m3, respectively, which were very close to the recommended maximal allowable concentrations (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Area sampling results were 1.2 and 0.94mg/m3 for total dust and 0.07 and 0.03mg/m3 for respirable dust, respectively, in the two rooms. The bulk dust sample consisted of 50.5 percent protein with an amino acid composition similar to that of egg yolk protein. Medical histories were obtained from 25 workers, and their physical condition and lung function were analyzed every 3 hours (while awake) for 7 days. Their sensitivity to egg proteins and other egg preparations was assessed. Five cases of asthma associated with symptomatic bronchial lability were diagnosed. In all of them, sensitivity to egg proteins was demonstrated. The authors conclude that occupational asthma mediated by immunoglobulin-E occurs among workers exposed by inhalation to egg proteins.

NIOSH-Author; Allergens; Allergic-reactions; Bronchial-asthma; Occupational-exposure; Animal-products; Foodstuff; Dust-analysis; Skin-tests; Organic-dusts; Health-survey; Dust-inhalation; Occupational-respiratory-disease; Author Keywords: allergy; conalbumin; ovalbumin; ovomucoid; lysozyme

Dr. A.B. Smith, Medical Section, Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226

AJIMD8

19870801

Journal Article

1987

2

0271-3586

DSHEFS

2015

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

OH