Occupational asthma and allergy in snow crab processing in Newfoundland and Labrador

Area of Science:

• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Immunology
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Occupational asthma (OA) and occupational allergy (OAl) prevalence and risk factors are understudied in the snow crab-processing industry.
• Understanding these risks is crucial for worker health and safety in this sector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of OA and OAl among snow crab-processing workers.
• To investigate the association between OA/OAl and exposure to snow crab allergens.
• To identify other potential risk factors contributing to OA and OAl in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 215 workers from four processing plants in Newfoundland and Labrador was studied.
• Data collection involved questionnaires, skin-prick tests, specific IgE measurements, spirometry, and peak flow monitoring.
• A cumulative exposure index was developed based on work history and aeroallergen measurements.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates for almost certain/highly probable OA and OAl were 15.8% and 14.9%, respectively.
• High cumulative exposure to crab allergens was strongly associated with OA (OR=14.0) and OAl (OR=7.1).
• Specific job roles (cleaning, packing, freezing), atopy, female gender, and smoking were significant risk factors for OA and OAl.

Conclusions:

• OA and OAl are highly prevalent among snow crab-processing workers on Canada's East Coast.
• A significant dose-response relationship exists between cumulative exposure to snow crab allergens and the development of OA and OAl.
• Atopy, gender, and smoking further modify the risk of developing occupational allergies and asthma in this industry.