International Journal of Contemporary Medicine
  • Year: 2014
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 2

A Study of Allergic Disorders in a Sea Food Processing Industry of Coastal Karnataka

1Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore

2Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

3Post Graduate Student, Dept of Public Health, Manipal University, Manipal

*Corresponding author: Avinash Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Phone No. +919538122904, E-mail id- avinashkr566@gmail.com

Online published on 31 January, 2015.

Abstract

Unprotected handling of sea food in industry will cause allergic manifestations like rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis etc.

A cross sectional study was done in a sea food processing industry in coastal Karnataka among 211 employees. It was found that 27.9% had skin rashes, 16.1% had rhinitis. Skin rashes were evident in the first five years of occupation in about 72% of the employees who had developed skin rash. Rhinitis and obstructive lung disease were observed in subjects who had an occupational history above five years.

Specially designed programmes are necessary to assist sea food processing industries to develop appropriate control strategies to prevent or control occupational hazards.

Keywords

Allergic Disorders, Sea Food, Coastal Karnataka