According to specialists, people are likely to develop asthma in response to a chemical or allergen exposure at work. Below, there is a fractional list of the chemicals occurring in the workplace that can activate symptoms of asthma:
* Animals — Furry animals may expose laboratory workers, farmers or veterinarians to allergens. For people who are vulnerable, long-term exposure to pigeons, birds or chickens in breeding areas or poultry plants may activate an allergy reaction imitating pneumonia, known also as hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
* Tobacco — Pubs, clubs, and even restaurants belong to the group of the workplace locations in which cigarette smoke exposure may be significant. A frequent cause of occupational asthma is second-hand smoke inhalation.
* Paints, plastics, foams and glues — The chemical substances such as toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane and anhydrides occur in some paints, resins or varnishes and are released in the course of the production of some polyurethane foams and plastics. Ethanolamines may also be released when some paints are applied.
* Hospital exposures — Formalin and latex are widespread triggers of both asthma and other allergies at hospitals.
* Crustaceans — It has been discovered that crabs and shrimp in food-processing plants can also trigger allergy.
* Enzymes — Such enzymes as trypsin and papain are used in ceertain detergents, in meat processing and in the production of some medications by the pharmaceutical industry.
* Metals — Also some metals, including platinum, nickel, chromium, cobalt and vanadium are used in metal plating, leather tanning and the metal refining industry. Soldering is also able to release ethanolamines.
* Grains — Asthma may also be activated by grain dust and baking flour found in grain mills and grain-handling areas.
* Soldering — Colophony (pine resin) and ethanolamine have activated asthma symptoms after soldering. This constitutes a serious concern in the electronics industry.
* Vegetable products — Gum acacia may be an exposure within printing plants.
* Wood dust — Cedar and redwood dust occur in carpentry shops, construction sites and wood mills.
If you experience symptoms of asthma that are activated due to exposure to any of the substances you encounter at work, you may suffer from occupational asthma.
If you suspect that you might have this type of asthma, track your symptoms in a diary. You might observe that you feel better after leaving your workplace (and also during weekends and holidays), or you might go to work feeling quite well but observe that your breathing changes toward the end of the day. In general, symptoms improve at home until the next time you enter your workplace.
The severity of occupational asthma can significantly vary for person to person— not all types of this disease require a change in occupation (although this is ideal). You may be able to manage your asthma by making some alterations in the workplace, such as moving to an area where you won’t inhale the irritating substances, or using a personal respirator. It may take even two years for your symptoms to vanish completely after you get rid of exposure – everything depends on the kind of reaction that your organism has had. If you do not decrease or eliminate your exposure to irritating chemicals, your asthma is probable to deteriorate. Less serious occupational asthma symptoms can be easily regulated by medicines. If you experience asthma symptoms, make sure to inform your healthcare professional about the irritants and substances you are exposed to in the workplace, due to the fact that occupational asthma is frequently misdiagnosed as chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
