Working with argan cake: a new etiology for hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Background: Argan is now used worldwide in numerous cosmetic products. Nine workers from a cosmetic factory were examined in our occupational medicine department, following the diagnosis of a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) related to handling of argan cakes.

Methods: Operators were exposed to three forms of argan (crude granulates, powder or liquid) depending on the step of the process.