OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA CAUSED BY DECORATIVE FLOWERS - REVIEW AND CASE-REPORTS

Occupational respiratory symptoms caused by decorative flowers are sel dom reported in the literature. In the years 1985-1993 four such cases of occupational asthma were diagnosed at the Institute of Occupationa l Health of Finland. Occupational asthma was caused by freesias (n = 1 ), chrysanthemums (n = 1), and tulips (n = 2). The diagnoses were base d on work-related respiratory symptoms during flower handling in the p atients' histories, specific challenge tests, and allergologic examina tions. Flower allergy is rare but can even develop into occupational a sthma. It usually leads to a change of profession.