Peanut Allergy

[BARTOLET <BARTOLET@NSUOK.EDU>]

Reasearch was started at John Hopkins in 1996 on allergies to peanuts to
see exactly what protien it is that causes the allergy.  Since the
allergy is caused by a protien and not the actual "nut", it can be
airborne. Granted there would have to be "peanut dust", but it does
happen.  - and I quote:


"Nearly 100 people die from all food allergies each year. Peanuts are
used in a variety of food products, and some sufferers can't tolerate
even proximity to peanuts, making it difficult to avoid exposures that
lead to potentially dangerous allergic reactions. "

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/1996/NOVEMBER/19964.HTM

see also:
http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm
http://www.isrp.com.au/isrpcom/journal/ed_abstracts/abstract__dawe.htm

and here a couple of articles article, Canadian, on the Duty of Care and
for schools, that might help with the original question - looks like
some school have had to deal with this issue - there is quite a bit on
the net about it. A further search might lead to a other policies and
procedures that have been done in schools. (I just googled these)

http://www.calgaryallergy.ca/Articles/Peanut_Allergy_medlegal.html
www.haltondsb.on.ca/download. asp?sMenuID=108&filename=anaphylaxis.pdf

Have a great day!

Robin Bartoletti
Library Media and Information Technology
Northeastern State University

>While I do not want to belittle the fears of parents, there has never been
>a case of a child dying from atmospheric exposure to peanuts.  That is,
>Johnny has peanut allergies.  Sally sitting next to Johnny is eating
>something with peanuts in it.  By virtue of proximity, Johnny gets ill.
>It has never happened.  So banning all peanut foods seems extreme to me.
>

--------------------------------------------------------------------
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------