Shell-Grinder's Asthma

We surveyed 26 employees of a shell-handling factory on whom skin tests with 12 common allergens and shell powder extract were done. Specific bronchial Provocation tests with shell powder extract were performed on the subjects who had respiratory symptoms. Positive skin responders to shell powder extract were 8 among the 26 subjects (30.8%), and subjects who were positive responders to any one of 12 common allergens showed a higher positive rate than negative responders. Among the 8 subjects who had a positive skin response, four had respiratory symptoms. Three subjects were positive bronchial responders to bronchial provocation tests.