Study of asthma and allergies among tea packers

Professor Michael Abramson · Professor Malcolm Sim · Dr Lin Fritschi · Dr Jennifer Rolland

This study was undertaken by the Departments of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine and Pathology & Immunology to investigate increasing numbers of workers reporting respiratory and allergic symptoms in a tea packaging factory in Victoria, Australia. Fieldwork took place between August and December, 1997, and nearly 200 workers in the factory participated. A respiratory questionnaire was administered, followed by spirometry, skin prick testing and blood sampling (for IgE antibodies against tea extracts). Data analysis is completed and a final report submitted in 1998.