Nacre (mother-of-pearl)

Synonyms

Mother-of-pearl

Category

Animal-Derived Allergens

Sources/Uses

Nacre is the "pearly interior layer of certain mollusk shells, used to make decorative objects." [American Heritage Dictionary]

Comments

Occupational asthma reported in a nacre (mother-of-pearl) button maker; [Malo] Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been reported in workers sawing and grinding mollusc shells to make nacre buttons. The suspected antigen is aquatic animal proteins. [Rom, p. 390]

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Mollusc shell HP