Occupational Asthma (cont.)

"Asthma," American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/asthma/

"Asthma and Allergies," U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asthma/
#research

"Occupational Asthma," Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/
occupationalasthma/

• Asthma is a lung disease characterized by inflammation of the airways and reversible narrowing of the airways, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough.
• Occupational asthma is asthma that is caused by a specific agent in the workplace.
• Many different agents can cause occupational asthma.
• Symptoms can begin immediately with exposure or even years later.
• Occupational asthma is diagnosed by a thorough history and physical exam, combined with testing of lung function.
• Treatment mostly involves completely avoiding the offending agent as soon as possible, combined with routine asthma treatments.

REFERENCES:

Balmes, J., M. Becklake, P. Blanc, et al. "American Thoracic Society Statement: Occupational Contribution to the Burden of Airway Disease." Am J Respir Crit Care Med 167 (2003): 787-797.

Bherer, L. "Survey of Construction Workers Repeatedly Exposed to Chlorine Over a Three to Six Month Period in a Pulpmill: Follow Up of Affected Workers by Questionnaire, Spirometry, and Assessment of Bronchial Responsiveness 18 to 24 Months After Exposure Ended." Occup Environ Med 51.4 (1994): 225-228.

Bignon, J.S. "HLA Class II Alleles in Isocyanate-Induced Asthma." Am J Respir Crit Care Med 149.1 (1994): 71-75.

Brooks, S.M. "Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS): Persistent Asthma Syndrome After High Level Irritant Exposures." Chest 88.3 (1985): 376-384.

Maghni, K. "Airway Inflammation After Cessation of Exposure to Agents Causing Occupational Asthma." Am J Respir Crit Care Med 169.3 (2004): 367-372.

Malo, J.L. "Agents Causing Occupational Asthma." J Allergy Clin Immunol 123 (2009): 545-550.

Malo, J.L. "Natural History of Occupational Asthma: Relevance of Type of Agent and Other Factors in the Rate of Development of Symptoms in Affected Subjects." J Allergy Clin Immunol 90.6.1 (1992): 937-944.

Moscato, G. "Occupational Asthma: A Longitudinal Study on the Clinical and Socioeconomic Outcome After Diagnosis." Chest 115.1 (1999): 249-256.

Muller-Wening, D. "Protective Effect of Respiratory Devices in Farmers With Occupational Asthma." Eur Respir J 12.3 (1998): 569-572.

Venables, K.M. "Smoking and Occupational Allergy in Workers in a Platinum Refinery." BMJ 299.6705 (1989): 939-942.

Vendeplas, O. "What Are the Questionnaire Items Most Useful in Identifying Subjects With Occupational Asthma?" Eur Respir J 26.6 (2005): 1056-1063.

Last Editorial Review: 6/23/2010 2:40:58 PM

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/occupational_asthma/article.htm