Asthma

An Unexplained Epidemic

For information about Hartford's asthma problem, click here.

What is occupational asthma?

Occupational asthma is caused by dusts, vapors, gases, or fumes in the workplace. These substances trigger allergic reactions in susceptible workers. Work-related asthma may make up 20 to 26% of adult asthma and is the most common occupational lung disease in developed countries.

If people have a choice, they should be cautious about taking a job that will expose them to many potential asthma triggers.
Workers should try adjusting their work practices in order to reduce their exposure to those triggers.
Workers who are exposed for long periods of time may develop irreversible lung disease that makes breathing more and more difficult.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health recorded 173 reported cases of occupational asthma in the state between 1990 and 1995, as well as 27 reported cases of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a form of occupational asthma caused by a single inhalation exposure to high levels or irritant gases, fumes, or vapors. Manufacturing and service industries had the highest number of reported cases in Connecticut. Most of the reported cases were for workers between 30 and 59 years of age, with white workers representing 86% of these cases.

What kinds of substances can cause occupational asthma?

The most common cause of occupational asthma, as reported by Connecticut physicians, is indoor air pollution, including mold, dust and dust mites, bioaerosols, tobacco smoke, poor ventilation, and renovation activities. Other suspected agents are certain chemicals.

More than 200 animal, plant, and chemical substances have been connected to work-related asthma.

Substances	Examples	Workers Subject to Substances
Chemical dusts and vapors	Paint, solvents, adhesives, insulation, foam mattresses, packaging	Manufacturing and processing workers
Animal substances	Hair, dander, mites, small insects, bacterial or protein dusts	Farmers, animal handlers, shepherds, grooms, jockeys, veterinarians, laboratory and kennel workers
Wood products	Western red cedar, some pine and birch woods, pine resin, mahogany	Woodworkers, renovators, and farm workers
Organic dusts	Flour, cereals, grains, coffee and tea dust, papain dust from meat tenderizer	Millers, bakers, other food processors
Textile dusts	Cotton, dyes, flax, and hemp dust	Platinum, chromium, nickel, sulfate, soldering fumes
Metals	Platinum, chromium, nickel, sulfate, soldering fumes	Refining and manufacturing workers

For additional information about occupational asthma, see
http://www.state.ct.us/dph/BCH/EEOH/occair.htm