Occupational Asthma Advice Helpline
Asthma is the most common work related lung disorder, every year there are more than 4000 new sufferers in the United Kingdom alone. Asthma is an allergic reaction that causes the narrowing of the airways, hence sufferers find it hard to breath. The reaction occurs due to airborne dust particles, gases, vapours & fumes.
Occupations most at risk to developing occupational asthma are listed below
- Baker
- Wood machinist
- Engineering Worker
- Health worker
- Paint Sprayers
- Farm Worker
- Welders & Foundry workers
Some of the causes of Asthmatic reactions are listed opposite
The mixing and spraying of isocyanate paints. Paint sprayers can be at greater risk if they use two pack paints. In all the above full breathing apparatus should be worn when dealing with these substances.
In the health service there are large amounts of airborne latex, due to the disposable gloves worn and the processing of X ray film can release a number of respiratory irritants if not contained in a controlled environment. Other substances used in the health service known to cause occupational asthma include anaesthetic gases, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, biocides, cleaning agents and acrylates.
When casting in foundries moulds are made by using sand and resins. The resins commonly used are phenol formaldehyde and iscoyanates. When welding certain materials fumes are given off which again are causes of asthma
Occupational asthma amongst bakers and related occupations is commonplace, the problems lie with the ingredients used in the process, wheat flour, soy bean flour, rye flour and additives. Dust clouds arise from brushing, throwing and sieving the flour and then the reaction occurs.
A well known risk of occupational asthma is grain dust from the harvesting and storage of cereal crops. Biocides are also a problem where workers are in regular contact with live stock.
With occupational asthma the symptoms will always be worse when you are in your working environment, to the extent that should you go on holiday for a few weeks then your symptoms will get better, Should that be the case then you may well have the condition.
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