Clinical Epidemiology Unit

Study of asthma and allergies among tea packers

Assoc Prof Michael Abramson
Dr Lin Fritschi
Dr Malcolm Sim
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