The mechanism of the reaction to turpentine (and pine oil) is much less clear. There are no reports of groups with increased non-specific bronchial reactivity who have been exposed to turpentine fumes. The only previously published data relate to two electronic workers with occupational asthma due to colophony who failed to react to a 30 minute exposure to turpentine painted on to a flat surface. It is not possible from the current data to differentiate between the irritant or an allergic mechanism for the reaction to turpentine.
We thank Peter Oates and Richard Rycroft for constructive criticism and technical help.