Occupational Asthma

by Karon Beattie

Occupational asthma is a respiratory disorder directly related to inhaling fumes, gases, vapors or dust while "on the job." Due to this exposure, asthma may develop for the first time in a previously healthy worker, or pre-existing asthma may be aggravated.

Occupational asthma has become the most prevalent work-related lung disease in developed countries.

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Causes

Occupational asthma may be caused by direct irritants, allergic triggers or pharmacologic factors. Irritants that provoke occupational asthma include exposure to hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide or ammonia found in the petroleum or chemical industries. These asthmatic episodes frequently occur immediately after exposure to the substance, and allergic sensitization is not involved. Workers who already have asthma or some other respiratory disorder are particularly affected by this type of exposure.

Allergic factors play a role in many cases of occupational asthma. This type of asthma frequently requires long term exposure to a work-related substance before allergic sensitization occurs.

Examples of this allergic-type of occupational asthma include exposure to the enzymes of the bacteria bacillus subtilis in the washing powder industry, and exposure to castor beans, green coffee beans and papain in the food processing industry. Other allergic forms of occupational asthma can occur in workers in the plastic,. rubber or resin industries following exposure to small chemical molecules in the air.

Furthermore, veterinarians, fishermen and animal handlers in laboratories can develop allergic reactions to animal proteins. Health care workers can develop asthma from aerosolized proteins from latex gloves or from the mixing of powdered medications.

Pharmacologic factors include the inhalation of dust or liquid. These substances do not lead to allergic sensitization, but instead directly lead to the release of naturally occurring substances such as histamine within the lung, which then in turn lead to asthma.

Prevention

Once the cause is identified, exposure levels should be reduced (a worker could be moved to another job within the plant, for example).

Work areas should be closely monitored so that exposure to asthma-causing substances is kept at the lowest possible levels.

There are now online stores that specifically support asthma, sinus and allergy sufferers. For further reading and to obtain products that can help in the home environment such as HEPA air purifiers, HEPA vacuum cleaners, dust mite encasings, hypoallergenic bedding and dehumidifiers, visit Allergy Resources International which has listings for every country. There is now a test available to measure the number of dust mites in your house dust. Just send an email to: allergy.labs@worldnet.att.net.

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