Green tobacco sickness in tobacco harvesters - Kentucky, 1992
Article Abstract:
Forty-seven cases of green tobacco sickness (GTS) were reported in Kentucky between Jul 25, 1992 and Sep 19, 1992. GTS occurs after skin exposure to nicotine dissolved in wet tobacco leaves. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, vomiting and dizziness, and it may cause fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure. The average age of the 47 patients was 29, and 87% were male. Twelve were in the hospital for one or two days, and two were admitted to the intensive care unit. The average duration of the illness was 2.4 days. All patients had worked in wet tobacco fields and their clothes had become wet. Those under 30 years old were more likely to develop the illness, and personal use of tobacco products appeared to lower the risk of GTS slightly. Tobacco harvesters should wear water-resistant clothing and rubber gloves, and farm owners should inform harvesters of the risks of GTS.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Protection from environmental tobacco smoke in California: the case for a smoke-free workplace
Article Abstract:
To protect workers from environmental tobacco exposure (ETS), companies should provide a smoke-free work site, not just a work-area restriction. A survey of 7,162 adult, nonsmoking workers who had indoor worksites showed 23.2% were exposed to tobacco smoke if there was a work-area restriction, but only 9.3% of those in a smoke-free worksite were exposed. Over 51% were exposed if there was no work-site smoking policy. Employees of companies with only limited smoking restrictions were just as likely to be exposed as those in companies with no restrictions on smoking. Women and older workers had lower chances of exposure. Nonsmokers aged 18 to 24 who were male, Hispanic or who had not completed high school had greater ETS exposure. About 36% of California work sites were smoke-free in 1990, a higher rate than the national average of three percent in 1986.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: A parting shot at tobacco. The latest victim of tobacco trade sanctions
- Abstracts: Status of scrap (recyclable) dental amalgams as environmental health hazards or toxic substances. part 2 Assessing and correcting dental fees
- Abstracts: Prevalence and impact of chronic illness among adolescents. Infection after farm machine-related injuries in children and adolescents
- Abstracts: Autosomal dominant transmission of gouty arthritis with renal disease in a large Japanese family. Arthritis and epidemiology in Europe
- Abstracts: Fulminant pulmonary Aspergillus infection occluding the aortic arch after high-dose antileukemic chemotherapy