Is Your Job Making You Sick?

Occupational Asthma Overview

Asthma is a chronic (long-term, ongoing) inflammation of the breathing passages (bronchi) of the lungs. The inflammation irritates the airway, causing breathing problems.

• Most people with asthma have sudden attacks or periods of bothersome or severe symptoms separated by periods of mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
  
  
• Asthma is an inflammatory reaction that is triggered by external factors or specific situations.
  
  
• When a person with asthma is exposed to one of his or her triggers, the inflammation worsens and symptoms ensue.

Occupational asthma is a breathing (respiratory) disease caused by exposure to a trigger in the workplace. The list of known triggers is long and varied.

• The trigger generally is something inhaled.
  
  
• Occupational asthma can occur in almost any line of work or any work environment, including offices, stores, hospitals, and medical facilities.
  
  
• Triggers include contaminants in the air, such as smoke, chemicals, vapors (gases), fumes, dust, or other particles; respiratory infections, such as colds and flu (viruses); allergens in the air, such as molds, animal dander, and pollen; extremes of temperature or humidity; and emotional excitement or stress.

Two types of occupational asthma attacks occur.

• Aggravation of preexisting asthma: This is by far the most common type. Over time, with regular exposure, you develop hypersensitivity to the trigger. With this underlying asthma, continued exposure to the trigger causes attacks.
  
  
• Irritant asthma: Exposure to certain substances or conditions in the workplace irritates the airways, with immediate symptoms. Although this is not an allergic-type reaction, the irritation may cause allergylike or asthmalike symptoms.

Once the attack is triggered, the airways begin to swell and tighten (bronchospasm) and secrete large amounts of mucus.

• The swelling and extra mucus partially block, or obstruct, the airways. This makes it more difficult to push air out of your lungs (exhale).
  
  
• Because of this, asthma is referred to as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Unlike other types of COPD, asthma is reversible. It cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by medication.

• You have a better chance of controlling your asthma if it is diagnosed early and treatment begun right away.
  
  
• With proper treatment, you can have fewer and less severe attacks.
  
  
• Without treatment, you will have more frequent and more severe attacks. You can even die from a severe asthma attack.

Early recognition and avoidance of the trigger is particularly important in occupational asthma.

• Because people spend so much time at work, they tend to have extensive exposure to their trigger by the time the cause of the symptoms is recognized as asthma.
  
  
• The more time you spend exposed to your trigger, the more likely you are to have permanent lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity.

Occupational asthma is the most common work-related lung disease in developed countries. In up to 15% of people with asthma in the United States, the condition is at least partly related to their work.