J. Ind. Med. The mechanism remains to be established, but may be due to a beta-blocking or an immunological reaction. Glycine is a reagent used in the manufacture of salbutamol. Asthma develops after a long period of exposure to the product. The attacks occur as a late reaction.
Subjects are almost always atopic.
The mechanism is IgE-dependent. If asthma caused by gum arabic in print workers disappears then respiratory problems due to vegetable gums will be increased. Rhinitis is more frequent and often precedes asthma. It is often associated with conjunctivitis. Cough and attacks of dyspnoea are closely linked to work, symptoms re-occur with each repeated exposure.