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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

You're at increased risk of developing occupational asthma if:

  • You have existing allergies or asthma. Although this can increase your risk, many people who have allergies or asthma do jobs that expose them to lung irritants and never have symptoms.
  • Allergies or asthma run in your family. Your parents may pass down a genetic predisposition to occupational asthma.
  • You work around known asthma triggers. Some substances are known to be lung irritants and asthma triggers. A number of workplace substances are known to cause occupational asthma.

High-risk occupations
It's possible to develop occupational asthma in almost any workplace. But your risk is higher if you work in certain occupations. Here are some of the riskiest jobs and the asthma-producing substances associated with them:

JobsAsthma-producing substances
Adhesive handlers Chemicals such as acrylate
Animal handlers, veterinarians Animal proteins
Bakers, millers Cereal grains
Carpet makers Gums
Metal workers Cobalt, nickel
Forest workers, carpenters, cabinetmakers Wood dust
Hairdressers Chemicals such as persulfate
Health care workers Latex and chemicals such as glutaraldehyde
Pharmaceutical workers Drugs, enzymes
Seafood processors Seafood
Shellac handlers Chemicals such as amines
Spray painters, insulation installers, plastics and foam industry workers Chemicals such as diisocyanates
Textile workers Dyes
Users of plastics, epoxy resins Chemicals such as anhydrides
Complications Causes
References
  1. Occupational asthma. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec05/ch057/ch057h.html?qt=occupational%20asthma&alt=sh. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  2. Malo J. Diagnosis and clinical assessment of asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011.
  3. Tarlo SM. Occupational exposures and adult asthma. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2008;28:563.
  4. Dykewicz MS. Occupational asthma: Current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:519.
  5. Bardana EJ. Occupational asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2008;121:S408.
  6. Maestrelli P, et al. Mechanisms of occupational asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:531.
  7. Mapp CE, et al. Occupational asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2005;172:280.
  8. Smith AM, et al. Management of work-related asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:551.
  9. Balkissoon R. Asthma overview. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:41.
  10. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda, Md.: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf. Accessed Jan. 28, 2011
  11. Updated information on leukotriene inhibitors: Montelukast (marketed as Singulair), zafirlukast (marketed as Accolate), and zileuton (marketed as Zyflo and Zyflo CR). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm165489.htm. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
  12. Kealoha MK. What's new in alternative therapies for asthma in children? Journal of Community Health Nursing. 2009;26:198.
  13. Engler RJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the allergist-immunologist:Where do I start? Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:309.
  14. Li XM, et al. Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:297.
  15. Ernst E. Spinal manipulation for asthma: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Respiratory Medicine. 2009;103:1791.
  16. OSHA frequently asked questions. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. http://www.osha.gov/OSHA_FAQs.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011.
DS00591 May 19, 2011

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