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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'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. You are more likely to develop asthma if your parents have allergies or 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 highest if you work in certain occupations. Here are some of the riskiest jobs and the asthma-producing substances associated with them:
| Jobs | Asthma-producing substances |
|---|---|
| Adhesive handlers | Chemicals such as acrylate |
| Animal handlers, veterinarians | Animal proteins |
| Bakers, millers | Cereal grains |
| Carpet makers | Gums |
| Electronics workers | Soldering resin |
| Forest workers, carpenters, cabinetmakers | Wood dust |
| Hairdressers | Chemicals such as persulfate |
| Health care workers | Latex and chemicals such as glutaraldehyde |
| Janitors, cleaning staff | Chemicals such as chloramine-T |
| Pharmaceutical workers | Drugs, enzymes |
| Seafood processors | Seafood |
| Shellac handlers | Chemicals such as amines |
| Solderers, refiners | Metals |
| 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 |
References
- Chan-Yeung M. Overview of occupational asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Malo J. Diagnosis and clinical assessment of asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Dykewicz MS. Occupational asthma: Current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:519.
- GINA report, global strategy for asthma management and prevention. Cape Town, South Africa: Global Initiative for Asthma. http://www.ginasthma.org/Guidelineitem.asp??l1=2&l2=1&intId=1561. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Chan-Yeung M. Pathogenesis of occupational asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Tips to Remember: Occupational asthma. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http://aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/occupationalasthma.stm. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Malo J, et al. Occupational asthma. In: Adkinson N, et al: Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier. 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134488541-3/0/1806/57.html?tocnode=56310176&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00053-X_1739. Accessed April 29, 2009.
- Smith AM, et al. Management of work-related asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:551.
- Passalacqua G, et al. ARIA update: I - Systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine for rhinitis and asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2006;117:1054.
- Steurer-Stey C. Complementary and alternative medicine in asthma: Do they work? Swiss Medicine Weekly. 2002;132:338.
- Hayes M, et al. Are any alternative therapies effective in treating asthma? The Journal of Family Practice. 2007;56:385.
- Horwitz R. Controlling asthma: The role of nutrition. Explore Journal of Science and Healing. 2005;5:393.
- Mainardi T, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine: Herbs, phytochemicals and vitamins and their immunologic effects. Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:283.
