There's something wrong with my breathing, Doc...could it be asthma?
Occupational asthma is an allergic reaction that can occur in some people when they are exposed to substances in the workplace.
These substances are called ‘respiratory sensitisers’ or asthmagens. They can cause a change in people’s airways, known as bronchial hyper-reactivity or twitchy airways.
Not everyone who gets exposed to a sensitiser becomes sensitised and goes on to get asthma. But once the lungs become hypersensitive, further exposure to the substance, even at quite low levels, may trigger an attack. This can happen to you even if you have worked without any problems for many years.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. Not everyone with occupational asthma gets all the symptoms. In general, the symptoms come on after you get home from work (delayed reaction) which makes it difficult to recognise the link with workplace activities.
Studies show that if you have symptoms lasting a year or more, your asthma can become permanent, even if you leave that type of work.
In Australia, about 9 to 15 per cent of all newly diagnosed asthma in adults who have not had asthma before is due to work-related factors.
Work-related asthma or asthma aggravated by work affects many more people, as about 10 per cent of the population has asthma. Any substance that causes irritation can affect the airways of individuals with pre-existing asthma. This includes people who have not had asthma since childhood. Some examples include ammonia, chlorine and general dust.
Early prevention is important. Find out about materials you are using in the workplace. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available online. If alternatives aren’t available, make sure you do not get exposed either by breathing in the substance or getting them on your skin.
For example, if spray-painters get paint on their skin they can become sensitised to isocyanates in the paint which can lead them to develop asthma. Even if they wear respiratory protection and don’t inhale it.
Where to get more information?
- Phone the WHS Infoline on 1300 369 915.
- Visit the Asthma Queensland website (non Queensland Government website).
- Health professionals may be interested in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report in Bulletin 59 available on their website (non Queensland Government link).
- See your doctor if you think something at work is giving you asthma symptoms.
What are some common causes of asthma?
| Occupation | Substances causing occupational asthma |
| Farming | Grain dust, animal dander |
| Spray - painting | Isocyanates in paints |
| Cleaning | Mercury compounds |
| Baking | Flour |
| Animal handling - vest, animal lab technicians | Animal dander |
| Nursing | Glutaraldeyde in disinfecting instruments, latex gloves |
| Food processing | Crustaceans (prawns, crabs) |
| Welding | Chrome, nickel, cobalt |
| Cabinet-making, timber blinds manufacture | Western red cedar, isocyanates in paints and coatings |
| Nail technicians | Methylmethacrylate |
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