Diseases and Conditions
Occupational asthma
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Alternative medicine
Preparing for an appointment
Risk factors
The intensity of your exposure increases your risk of developing occupational asthma. In addition, you will have increased risk if:
- You have existing allergies or asthma. Although this can increase your risk, many people who have allergies or asthma do jobs that expose them to lung irritants and never have symptoms.
- Allergies or asthma runs in your family. Your parents may pass down a genetic predisposition to asthma.
- You work around known asthma triggers. Some substances are known to be lung irritants and asthma triggers.
- You smoke. Smoking increases your risk of developing asthma if you are exposed to certain types of irritants.
High-risk occupations
It's possible to develop occupational asthma in almost any workplace. But your risk is higher if you work in certain occupations. Some of the riskiest jobs and the asthma-producing substances associated with them include the following:
| Jobs | Asthma-producing substances |
|---|---|
| Adhesive handlers | Chemicals |
| Animal handlers, veterinarians | Animal proteins |
| Bakers, millers, farmers | Cereal grains |
| Carpet makers | Vegetable gums |
| Metal workers | Cobalt, nickel |
| Food production workers | Milk powder, egg powder |
| Forest workers, carpenters, cabinetmakers | Wood dust |
| Hairdressers | Dyes |
| Health care workers | Latex and chemicals |
| Pharmaceutical workers, bakers | Drugs, enzymes |
| Seafood processors | Herring, snow crab |
| Spray painters, insulation installers, plastics and foam industry workers, welders, metalworkers, chemical manufacturers, shellac handlers | Chemicals |
| Textile workers | Dyes, plastics |
| Users of plastics or epoxy resins, chemical manufacturers | Chemicals |
