Greenhouses are an occupational asthma hazard
21 June 2002
People who work in commercial greenhouses are at risk of occupational asthma if they are sensitised to the flowers they grow, German research suggests.
Of 39 greenhouse and ornamental flower growers, more than one-third were sensitised to flowers and moulds at work. Bronchial provocation testing confirmed occupational asthma in one quarter of the people sensitised to flowers or moulds (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2002; 165: 954-60).
Poor ventilation only slightly raised the risk of flower or mould sensitisation. No other greenhouse characteristic had an effect.
No occupational asthma was found in people not sensitised to flowers or moulds.
Last Reviewed: 24 June 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 21/6/02
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