Asthma and your workplace

There are many substances in the workplace that may cause asthma to develop in a previously health person or trigger asthma symptoms in someone who already has asthma. Exposure may occur while you are performing a particular task or while working in a particular area. Such substances may include sawdust or strong cleaning products.

Exposure may occur while you are performing a particular task or working in a particular area. Occupation asthma may be indicated by symptoms that:

• vary during the working week or shift
• occur at night, in the morning after significant exposure, or during the working day
• improve over weekends or holidays.

High risk jobs

Some jobs are more likely to affect a person with asthma because of the triggers in the environment. These include:

• baking and pastry cooks – flour, additives and sodium metabisulphate
• car repairs and panel beating – epoxy resins and organic solvents
• electronics – solder fumes
• farming – animal fur, feathers and grain dust
• fire fighting – smoke and combustion products
• foam manufacturers – polyurethane
• healthcare workers – latex gloves
• garage attendants – car exhaust fumes
• grain handling – fumigants and grain dust
• hairdressing – dyes, perfumes and sprays
• metal refining – acids, chlorines, aluminium and heavy metal salts
• oil refining – hydrocarbon mists
• painting and decorating – paint additives and solvents
• printing – dyes and solvents
• woodworking – wood dust
• working with animals – animal fur and animal urine.

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)

When people with asthma inhale irritants into their airways, they may experience symptoms similar to those for asthma, such as shortness of breath and a wheeze. This is known as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of exposure.

Preventing exposure to triggers

For people with asthma, triggers cause inflammation or swelling in one’s airways. Ongoing exposure to such triggers causes continued inflammation and swelling in the airways and makes a person’s asthma worse. Where possible, workplaces should avoid using substances that can trigger asthma. This can be achieved by no longer using the substance or substituting the trigger substance for one that is less hazardous to health.

Where removal of the workplace trigger is not possible, reducing exposure can also help you take control of your asthma by using local exhaust ventilation systems or Australian Standards approved respiratory protection devices. The employer and employee should work together to develop strategies to reduce exposure to triggers and irritants in the workplace.

Early treatment for workplace asthma is crucial

If you did not have asthma previously, and think you have developed asthma following exposure to substances in the workplace, it is important to seek medical advice. Your condition may improve by avoiding any further exposure.

• If your asthma symptoms are worse during the working week, you may be experiencing occupational asthma.
• It is important to avoid exposure to the triggers in your workplace.
• Work together with your employer to develop strategies to reduce your exposure to substances that triggers your asthma.