Relationship between tea dust exposure and lung function: a systemic literature review

BackgroundDuring the production of tea, tea dust has been viewed as a risk factor that may cause the suffering of changes of lung function and respiratory symptoms.ObjectiveTo review whether the occupational exposure to tea dust may lead to the changes of lung function and respiratory symptoms.MethodsWe searched the literatures in March 2012 in the databases of Medline, EMBase, Web of Science, Wan-Fang Database and CNKI. The search condition is “(herb OR tea) AND (lung function OR ventilatory function OR pulmonary function OR spirometric measurement)”. The paper should be pubished in Enghish or Chinese, with internal or external controls.ResultsTotally 17 papers were included. Both acute and chronic changes of lung function were referred. In addition, the respiratory symptoms such as cough, tightness and etc. were also reported and discussed.ConclusionWe concluded that the exposure of tea dust may lead to the changes of lung function and respiratory symptoms.