Occupational asthma

Alternative names:

asthma - occupational exposure

Definition:

A lung disorder characterized by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, prolonged exhalation, and cough, which is caused by various agents found in the work place (see also bronchial asthma).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Numerous agents in the work place known to cause occupational asthma include: grain dust, wood dust, tobacco, pollens, enzymes, synthetic dyes, metals, animal proteins, fungi, pharmaceutical agents, and others. Asthma affects 1 out of 20 of the overall population, and occupational asthma represents 2 to 5% of all cases of asthma. Risk factors include the following occupations: plastics workers, metal workers, bakers, millers, farmers, grain elevator workers, laboratory workers, wood workers, drug manufacturers, and detergent manufacturers. The incidence is 7 out of 10,000 people.