What is Green Tobacco Sickness?
May 31, 2024
(AKA: Green Tobacco Picker Sickness)
Green tobacco sickness (GTS) is a condition that mainly affects the harvester of tobacco.
When is harvest time?
In the state of Tennessee the months of August and September are tobacco harvest and post-harvest handling of the fresh green leaves.
What is the chemical?
What is Green Tobacco Sickness?
GTS is a form of nicotine poisoning. That may be contracted by dermal contact of wet, fresh, green tobacco leaves. The nicotine from the plant mixes with the moisture on the leaves. Or when an individual skin is moist from perspiration. The climate is very hot and humid during harvest time in Tennessee. The nicotine is absorbed through the skin. This causes acute nicotine poisoning and its associated symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, stomach cramps, breathing difficulties, paleness, excessive sweating, headache, fluctuation in heart rate and blood pressure.
Pitfalls?
These symptoms are similar to heat related stress and other pesticide exposure.
Treatment?
Remove contaminated clothing. Clothing will need to be washed separately before wearing again.
Decontamination of skin with copious amounts of water and wash skin throughly with soap and water.
Treatment is primarily symptomatic and supportive care.
If you have questions about a potential exposure to tobacco. The poison center is available 24/7 to assist you. A medical toxicologist consult is always available: 1-800-222-1222.
Prepared by Jeff Moore, RN, CSPI at the Tennessee Poison Center
References:
Images. images.search.yahoo.com
CDC. www.cdc.gov/niosh. Green Tobacco Sickness
NCDOL: North Carolina Department of Labor. www.labor.nc.gov/news/labor-ledger
MICROMEDEDEX/POISONDEX monograph, 2024