Occupational asthma
Occupational asthma is the term used to describe asthma that is triggered by a substance that is unique to your working environment. Occupational asthma can take weeks, months or even years to develop, depending on the person and the substance involved. Occupational asthma can occur in:
- Smokers and non-smokers
- People who have had asthma before and those who have not
- People who have recently changed jobs and people who have been in the same job for many years
Some of the major causes, and workers most at risk of developing occupational asthma can be found in the table below.
| Cause of occupational asthma? |
Who is most at risk? |
| Animals (e.g. animal urine, grain mites, moths) |
Animal handlers, laboratory workers, farmers, grain-store workers |
| Plants (e.g. grain dust, flour of wheat or rye, latex) |
Grain-store workers, bakers, millers |
| Enzymes |
Laboratory workers, healthcare professionals, detergent industry workers, laboratory workers, bakers |
| Wood dusts or barks |
Builders, carpenters |
| Drugs |
Laboratory workers, healthcare workers |
| Metals |
Workers in the steel industry |
If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, may have developed occupational asthma, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are the symptoms better on days away from work?
- Are the symptoms better during holidays from work?
- Did you first notice the symptoms fairly soon after you started a new job?
- Did you first notice the symptoms shortly after a changed in work conditions within the same job?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the questions above, it is likely that you may have developed occupational asthma. It is useful to keep a record of your symptoms to assist your doctor in making a diagnosis.
Your GP may also organise certain laboratory tests, in which you are exposed to low levels of the suspected workplace allergen under controlled conditions. If the substance triggers your symptoms, then it is likely you have developed an allergy to it. For more advice on occupational asthma, contact your local Health and Safety Executive (HSE) office (www.hse.gov.uk).