Occupational Allergies to Arthropods - Documentation and Prevention

Abstract

In response to a request to investigate the health hazards associated with occupational exposure to arthropods (as in mass-rearing) an Insect Allergy Committee was formed in the USA, the initial objective of which was to conduct a pilot survey to identify and begin to document the extent of this problem. Details are presented of the information obtained by questionnaire from 84 institutions in the USA where insect rearing is carried on; 59.5% reported at least 1 individual with an arthropod-associated allergy, 38.1% reported no allergies and 2.4% reported no occupational exposure. Some 115 individuals reported allergies, and 67% of these individuals attributed their symptoms to Lepidoptera. The types of symptoms and the arthropod species considered to be responsible for them are listed and discussed. In some cases, allergies were attributed to the diets used in rearing the arthropods. Measures that could reduce the incidence of these allergies are discussed. The Insect Allergy Committee is planning to conduct a more extensive survey