Prevalence of crab asthma in crab plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of snow crab sensitisation and occupational asthma.

Prevalence study of symptoms, pulmonary function testing and allergy testing to crab was conducted in four crab plants of different design in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Plants workers in four crab plants were interviewed and offered skin testing, RAST, pulmonary function testing and peak flow monitoring before and during crab processing.

38% (n=78) had atopy. 18% (n=39) had certain or highly probable crab asthma. The prevalence of sensitisation in different crab plants varied from 50% (n=19) to 15% (n=16) and the prevalence of certain or highly probable crab asthma varied from 50% (n=19) to 9% (n=3).

Crab asthma and sensitisation to snow crab is a major health problem for snow crab plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.