Allergic Anaphylactic Risk in Farming Activities: A Systematic Review

Giulio Arcangeli, Veronica Traversini, Emanuela Tomasini, Antonio Baldassarre, Luigi Isaia Lecca, Raymond P. Galea and Nicola Mucci
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Giulio Arcangeli: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Veronica Traversini: Occupational Medicine School, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Emanuela Tomasini: Department Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
Antonio Baldassarre: Doctoral School in Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Luigi Isaia Lecca: Doctoral School in Clinical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Raymond P. Galea: Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
Nicola Mucci: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-20

Abstract: Allergic disorders in the agriculture sector are very common among farm workers, causing many injuries and occupational diseases every year. Agricultural employees are exposed to multiple conditions and various allergenic substances, which could be related to onset of anaphylactic reactions. This systematic review highlights the main clinical manifestation, the allergens that are mostly involved and the main activities that are usually involved. This research includes articles published on the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus), using a combination of keywords. The online search yielded 489 references; after selection, by the authors, 36 articles (nine reviews and 27 original articles) were analyzed. From this analysis, the main clinical problems that were diagnosed in this category were respiratory (ranging from rhinitis to asthma) and dermatological (eczema, dermatitis, hives) in nature, with a wide symptomatology (from a simple local reaction to anaphylaxis). The main activities associated with these allergic conditions are harvesting or cultivation of fruit and cereals, beekeepers and people working in greenhouses. Finally, in addition to the allergens already known, new ones have emerged, including triticale, wine, spider and biological dust. For these reasons, in the agricultural sector, research needs to be amplified, considering new sectors, new technologies and new products, and ensuring a system of prevention to reduce this risk.

Keywords: allergy; anaphylaxis; anaphylactic shock; farm workers; agriculture; occupational medicine; exposure; risk; prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:4921-:d:381794

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