Posted By Robert Woods
I found this information from the International Labour Organisation.

Vegetable dusts

Workers heavily exposed to dusts of raw cotton, sisal, jute and other vegetable fibres in
industrial workplaces have developed various chronic lung problems such as “brown lung”
(byssinosis), which begins with chest tightness and shortness of breath, and can be disabling
after many years. Exposure to vegetable dusts in general may cause lung irritation or other
effects such as asthma, hay fever, bronchitis and emphysema. Other materials associated with
vegetable fibres, such as moulds, mildew, sizing materials and dyes, may also cause allergic
or other reactions.

Plants and woods

Plants and woods are often classified as a separate cause of skin disease, but they can also
be correctly included in the chemical grouping. Many plants cause mechanical and chemical
irritation and allergic sensitization, while others have gained attention because of their
photoreactive capacity. The family Anacardiaceae, which includes poison ivy, poison oak,
poison sumac, cashew-nut shell oil and the Indian marking nut, is a well-known cause of
occupational dermatitis due to its active ingredients (polyhydric phenols). Poison ivy, oak and
sumac are common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Other plants associated with
occupational and non-occupational contact dermatitis include castor bean, chrysanthemum,
hops, jute, oleander, pineapple, primrose, ragweed, hyacinth and tulip bulbs. Fruits and
vegetables, including asparagus, carrots, celery, chicory, citrus fruits, garlic and onions, have
been reported as causing contact dermatitis in harvesters, food packing and food preparation
workers.

Several varieties of wood have been named as causes of occupational dermatoses among
lumberers, sawyers, carpenters and other wood craftspeople. However, the frequency of skin
disease is much less than is experienced from contact with poisonous plants. It is likely that
some of the chemicals used for preserving the wood cause more dermatitic reactions than the
oleoresins contained in wood. Among the preservative chemicals used to protect against
insects, fungi and deterioration from soil and moisture are chlorinated diphenyls, chlorinated
naphthalenes, copper naphthenate, creosote, fluorides, organic mercurials, tar and certain
arsenical compounds, all known causes of occupational skin diseases.



The jute manufacturing regulations 1949ish [if my memory serves me correctly] have been replaced by COSHH and the first rule of COSHH is substitution. If you have a problem then you should look at changing the sack for paper ones.


Robert Woods.

Posted By Phil Markham
What has to be remembered is that handling sacks made from jute is as unlikely to cause byssinosis as ironing, tumble drying and shaking out of cotton towels. Think of the lint that gathers in bathrooms! The general population is fine, dust mite allergy being more significant in domestic situations. Jute fibres are not hazardous because they are fibres, they are hazardous because they are of plant origin, and then only to those who are exposed to the levels which used to be experienced in the fibre manufacturing processes.
So in summary, the manufacturers data sheet is probably correct, in that unless you are planning to shred the jute sacks on an industrial scale then there is no hazard to health from handling them to fill with potatoes.
Phil Markham

Posted By R.Woods
Have to aggree with Paul.
Your far more likely to come to harm lifting the sacks than inhaling the jute fibres.
Not only that jute is a very environmentaly friendly product that provides much needed employment and income to countries in the third world.


Bob