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| Wikimedia Commons/Emw |
OSHA and NIOSH jointly issued a
bulletin that identifies the threat of "green tobacco sickness," which can afflict workers in the tobacco industry. The bulletin warns of the symptoms of nicotine poisoning, which include dehydration, dizziness, headaches and vomiting. Those who plant, cultivate and harvest tobacco are particularly at risk, according to the bulletin.
The publication discusses preventive measures such as effective training, hand washing and appropriate PPE, such as gloves, long sleeve shirts, pants and water-resistant apparel. The latter is particularly important because nicotine is more likely to absorb into the bloodstream when it dissolves into rainwater, dew or sweat.
