Occupational Asthma (cont.)

Occupational Asthma Causes

Asthma has 2 components: the underlying chronic inflammation and the periodic attacks. We do not know for certain what causes the underlying inflammation. What we do know is that the tendency to have asthma runs in families and that some people are born with the tendency.

We do know what causes asthma attacks: exposure to a trigger. The attack is similar in many ways to an allergic reaction.

• An allergic reaction is a response by the body's immune system to an "invader." That invader can be a substance or anything that the body senses as "different."
  
  
• When the cells of the immune system sense an invader, they set off a series of reactions that help fight off the invader.
  
  
• It is this series of reactions that causes the production of mucus and bronchospasms. These responses cause the symptoms of as asthma attack.
  
  
• Because asthma is a type of allergic reaction, it is sometimes called reactive airway disease.  

In occupational asthma, the trigger is a substance or condition in the workplace that causes asthma symptoms. Most of these substances and conditions are very common and are not normally considered hazardous. Although these substances and conditions can be encountered in almost any workplace, occupational asthma is most common in workers in the following industries and jobs:

• Plastics industry
  
  
• Rubber industry
  
  
• Chemical industry
  
  
• Textile industry
  
  
• Electronics industry
  
  
• Painting
  
  
• Printing
  
  
• Dyeing
  
  
• Metalworking
  
  
• Welding
  
  
• Oil refining
  
  
• Cleaning
  
  
• Baking and food processing
  
  
• Farming
  
  
• Gardening, landscaping, and horticulture
  
  
• Working with animals
  
  
• Laboratory work

Not everyone exposed to these conditions will develop asthma. Some people are more susceptible to asthma than others. Also, exposure to some of these substances can produce chronic lung diseases other than asthma. Risk factors for occupational asthma include the following:

• Frequent exposure to the trigger
  
  
• Allergies
  
  
• Family history of allergies or asthma
  
  
• Smoking

If asthma is not treated, the airways gradually develop a pattern of overreacting. Common, everyday conditions, such as cigarette smoke or cold air, may cause asthma symptoms.

Next: Occupational Asthma Symptoms »

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