Question:

>Rodger <vitamanNOviS…@rt66.com.invalid> writes >> I need information on allegic reactions to bisulfites.  Can >> anyone help me, or point me to a website that details this >> subject.   I need to know what people who are allegic to >> bisulfites experience, and I am having trouble finding >> anything on the web so far.

A lot more could be discussed about bisulfites than their use as potato and lettuce treatment, and I am sure some bisulfite-sensitive people will be willing to share their experiences. Bisulfites are used in many (or most) wineries to sterilize their bottles without harming the taste of the wine. One of the most concentrated sources is in dried fruit, and there have been many instances of severe asthmatic reactions on opening packages of dried apricots and breathing in the fumes. Bisulfite sensitive people are extraordinarily sensitive to the sulfur fumes emitted by traffic, and some have had to move away from the areas of traffic exchanges. Much of the investigative work on this problem has been carried out at Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California by Dr. Donald Stevenson and his group. To my knowledge there is no specific therapy (other than avoidance and standard asthma medication) available, though a number of years ago it seemed to the La Jolla that high dose oral Vitamin B12 might help, because of its role in metabolism of the offender in the liver. I believe this has not proven out in the long run. — Larry Preuss Ann Arbor, MI USA

Response:

Hello, I need information on allegic reactions to bisulfites.  Can anyone help me, or point me to a website that details this subject.   I need to know what people who are allegic to bisulfites experience, and I am having trouble finding anything on the web so far. Thanks a lot. Rodger * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

Rodger <vitamanNOviS…@rt66.com.invalid> writes > I need information on allegic reactions to bisulfites.  Can > anyone help me, or point me to a website that details this > subject.   I need to know what people who are allegic to > bisulfites experience, and I am having trouble finding > anything on the web so far.

Allergies are not specific in their symptoms – all produce the same effects.  This allergy is to sulfite (or sulphite, to widen your search), the extra hydrogen ion is irrelevant. It can be quite serious and sulfites occur as preservatives in a lot of foods.  If you’ve got this talk to an allergist. —> email to "jc" at this site: email to "jack"  or "bogus" will bounce <— Jack Campin: 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU; 0131 6604760 http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/purrhome.html  food intolerance data and recipes, freeware logic fonts for the Macintosh, and Scots traditional music resources

Response:

In article <5…@purr.demon.co.uk>, bo…@purr.demon.co.uk (bogus address) wrote: >Rodger <vitamanNOviS…@rt66.com.invalid> writes >> I need information on allegic reactions to bisulfites.  Can >> anyone help me, or point me to a website that details this >> subject.   I need to know what people who are allegic to >> bisulfites experience, and I am having trouble finding >> anything on the web so far. >Allergies are not specific in their symptoms – all produce the same >effects.  This allergy is to sulfite (or sulphite, to widen your >search), the extra hydrogen ion is irrelevant. >It can be quite serious and sulfites occur as preservatives in a lot >of foods.  If you’ve got this talk to an allergist.

  I believe you will find that bisulfites and metabisulfites are a good deal different to sulfites in the risk they pose for asthmatics. The bisulfites are added to foods to prevent the oxidation that harms their cosmetic appearance. One name for them in the restaurant trade is "potato whitener." Before it became apparent (in about 1982 I think) that they were a significant problem, they were used at salad bars to keep lettuce looking fresh. The asthmatic reaction of those sensitive to these chemicals can be startlingly severe, leading to respiratory collapse within minutes. Dame Janet Baker, in her biography, details the reaction she had to one of these substances, used on a salad, during an American concert tour.   In my State of Michigan there was a move to prohibit the use of these substances. When it was realized that it would be difficult to pass such legislation quickly an easier bill was passed, mandating that if bisulfites were used, the restaurant had to state so on their menu or on a sign easily visible to all entering patrons. This stopped bisulfite use immediately. — Larry Preuss Ann Arbor, MI USA

Response:

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