Immunological findings in hemp workers

Report on an investigation of asthma and respiratory symptoms among workers at a soy processing plant.

“…Associations between respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures to soy have been reported by others [Zuskin et al 1991;Roodt and Rees 1995]. However, unlike our evaluation at the Solae plant, neither of these previous studies of soy mill workers demonstrated an association between symptoms and soy-specific immunity.…”

“…Two subsequent smaller studies examined the relationship between respiratory symptoms and soy-specific immune responses among soy mill and control workers [Zuskin et al 1991;Roodt and Rees 1995]. In both studies, respiratory symptoms were more common in soy workers than controls.…”

“…However, when current work classification was considered, participation was relatively high among production workers (70%), who would be expected to be at greatest risk of work-related respiratory illness. Moreover, while the 147 Solae workers who participated constitute the largest known group of soy workers to be evaluated for respiratory illness [NIOSH 1987;Zuskin et al 1991;Roodt and Rees 1995], the small number of workers in sub-groups, such as particular job or diagnostic categories, may have precluded some analyses and limited our ability to find more evidence that adverse health outcomes among Solae workers are attributable to work exposures.…”

Respiratory symptoms, lung function and cell surface markers in a group of hemp fiber processors*

“…Zuskin et al [1992] had already noted positive skin prick tests to hemp dust and although their presence did not relate to acute lung function change in the work place, they did relate to the presence of chronic lung disease. One worker was found to have precipitating IgG antibodies to three hemp extracts retrieved from the work site.…”

Evaluation of a medicinal cannabis manufacturing facility with an indoor and outdoor grow operation.

“…Occupational hemp exposure can result in a variety of clinical symptoms including sinusitis, byssinosis, and reductions in lung function [Zuskin et al 1990[Zuskin et al , 1992[Zuskin et al , 1994. Employees who directly handle the plant are particularly at risk [Barbero and Flores 1967;Valic et al 1968;Zuskin et al 1990Zuskin et al , 1994.…”