Green tobacco sickness

Green tobacco sickness (GTS) is a type of nicotine poisoning caused by the transdermal absorption of nicotine from the surface of tobacco plants, most frequently occurring among tobacco farm workers. Tobacco plants that have yet to be cured are referred to as "green tobacco".

Nicotine is a water soluble chemical, therefore the risk of GTS is elevated if this chemical from the tobacco plants mixes with any sort of moisture.

History

GTS is a occupational illness not widely documented, a majority of known cases originate in different regions of South America and Asia, where tobacco plantations are widespread. Historically in the United States, cases were first reported in Florida in 1970, where workers were diagnosed with "cropper sickness". The condition was later recognized as what we know it as today once the exposure route from green tobacco was established.

Cause

Green tobacco sickness is caused by the transdermal absorption of nicotine that frequently occurs when tobacco farm workers are in contact with uncured tobacco leaves. Nicotine is then able to be distributed throughout the body because it passes directly into the bloodstream upon absorption.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms may last between 12 and 48 hours, with the most common being nausea. GTS can sometimes be mistaken for heat stress, due to workers’ environment and lack of training on GTS.

Common symptoms

Source:

Nausea

Dizziness

Headache

Weakness

Abdominal cramps

Other possible symptoms

Source:

Excess Sweating

Salivation

Chills

Increased heart rate

Changes in blood pressure

Risk factors

Workers that are involved in directly harvesting the tobacco by hand are at the highest risk for developing GTS, especially those who harvest in the early morning in the presence of dew, those working with wet clothes, and those working with wet tobacco plants.