Inhalation allergy to castor bean dust has mostly been reported from occupational settings (agricultural industry (3), docks, castor oil mills and coffee roasteries (4-8)). One employee in a company importing, preparing and distributing plant products showed a positive specific IgE result to castor bean (9). The explanation would be that the sacks used for delivery of the products, e.g. coffee beans and plant products, were contaminated with remnants from earlier contents of castor beans (7-9). Epidemics of asthma have been described among citizens in areas where castor oil mills are in operation (7).
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Castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is common to all the warm regions of the world. The plant is known to have several components with allergenic and/or toxic properties. Castor bean meal is used as a fertilizer. The oil is known for its effect on intestinal peristalsis.
Allergy to the pollen of this plant has also been reported (1, 2).
Inhalation allergy to castor bean dust has mostly been reported from occupational settings (agricultural industry (3), docks, castor oil mills and coffee roasteries (4-8)). One employee in a company importing, preparing and distributing plant products showed a positive specific IgE result to castor bean (9). The explanation would be that the sacks used for delivery of the products, e.g. coffee beans and plant products, were contaminated with remnants from earlier contents of castor beans (7-9).
Epidemics of asthma have been described among citizens in areas where castor oil mills are in operation (7).
Due to the toxicity of castor beans the use of skin tests is not recommended (8).
Cross-reactivity with Putranjiva roxburghii pollen has been reported (10). This tree, the Indian amulet tree, belongs to the same family as the Castor bean and is one of the commonest pollen allergen sources in India.
