Pollen Trapped in a Scuba Tank: A Potential Hazard for Allergic Divers
Authors: Corrado Astarita, D. Gargano, P. Di Martino
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Letters18 January 2000Pollen Trapped in a Scuba Tank: A Potential Hazard for Allergic DiversCorrado Astarita, MD, D. Gargano, MD, and P. Di Martino, MDCorrado Astarita, MDThe Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Astarita)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Gargano)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Di Martino)Search for more papers by this author, D. Gargano, MDThe Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Astarita)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Gargano)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Di Martino)Search for more papers by this author, and P. Di Martino, MDThe Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Astarita)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Gargano)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Di Martino)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-132-2-200001180-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Although available data suggest that patients with asthma have no greater risk for airway obstruction during scuba diving than normal persons (1), we alert atopic patients to a potential hazard associated with the entrapping of submicronic or smaller micronic particles of pollen allergens (2) in scuba tanks. We have verified this risk in a young patient with wide scuba diving experience. The patient had grass-induced hay fever, and in September 1997 and June 1998 he experienced attacks of dyspnea under water after he had filled his tanks from a certified (DIN 9188) portable breathing air compressor in ...References1. Wolf SL, Twarog F, Weiler JM, Barron RJ, Lang DM, Wells JH, et al . Discussion of risk of scuba diving in individuals with allergic and respiratory diseases: SCUBA Subcommittee [Editorial]. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995;96:871-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Spieksma FTh, Kramps JA, van der Linden AC, Nikkels BH, Plomp A, Koerten HK, et al . Evidence of grass-pollen allergenic activity in the smaller micronic atmosphere aerosol fraction. Clin Exp Allergy. 1990;20:273-80. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Gerblich AA, Schwartz HJ, Chester EH. Seasonal variation of airway function in allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1986;77:676-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Astarita C, Franzese A, Scala G, Sproviero S, Raucci G. Farm workers' occupational allergy to Tetranychus urticae: clinical and immunologic aspects. Allergy. 1994;49:466-71. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Rantio-Lehtimäki A, Viander M, Koivikko A. Airborne birch pollen antigens in different particle sizes. Clin Exp Allergy. 1994;24:23-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Astarita)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Gargano)The Second University of Naples School of Medicine; 80131 Naples, Italy (Di Martino) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByCan asthmatic subjects dive?SCUBA Diving and Asthma: Clinical Recommendations and SafetyFacteurs de risque des allergies gravesA Review of Asthma and Scuba DivingAllergy and sports 18 January 2000Volume 132, Issue 2Page: 166-167KeywordsAllergensAsthmaBreathingDyspneaEnzymesFeversPhosphate buffered salinePollenTechnicians Issue Published: 18 January 2000 CopyrightCopyright © 2000 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...