From a book by Charles Turner Thackrah 1832
‘The Effects of Arts, Trades and Professions and of civic states and habits of living on Health and Longevity with suggestions for removal of many of the agents which produce disease and shorten the duration of life’
"Rape and Mustard Seed Crushers inhale a peculiar odour for the seed which they grind. This seems to act as a stimulant to the nervous and circulatory systems..."
The query was originally:
Have just seen a client who works with oil seed rape plants and
regularly handles the plant and its flowers. He complains of feeling
'spaced out' and not quite 'with it' for about 10-15 minutes after
working with the plant. He usually works with the plants for about an
hour or more outside. He does not wear gloves or a mask.
Any thoughts or ideas on this one would be very much appreciated..
If it is thought that this is the cause, then apply the hierarchy of control.
What work is the person doing that he needs to handle the plants?
With regards to possible chemical components have a look at Contact Dermatitis by Etain Cronin.1980
p511 Crucuiferae
"Harmless thioglucoside is broken down in the presence of water into irritant isothiocyanates" which can be irritant or allergenic
Also...
B campestris (rape seed )unknown allergen, has been known to cause hand dermatitis though rare- patch test ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and edible parts
An article of interest:
http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2001doc.nsf/43bb6130e5e86e5fc12569fa005d004c/19f31700dc91b614c1256b19003bd79d/$FILE/JT00118009.PDF
And with regards to Erucic acid:
Although Asian and European people have used rapeseed for centuries, the erucic acid contained in unrefined rapeseed oil has been linked to lung cancer when high cooking temperatures are used, as in wok cooking (which traditionally uses temperatures between 240 - 280°F). Heart lesions have also been associated with the high erucic acid content of rapeseed (40 - 50%). These are all reasons rapeseed was never used in the US prior to 1974. The potential health hazards of the erucic acid were eliminated with the introduction of the low erucic acid variety called canola oil (0.5 - 2 % erucic acid content).
Best wishes,
Diane
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