It creates a narrowing of the air passages that makes it difficult to breathe.
Two types:
Enzymes (in detergents or laboratories) and moulds
Proteins from animals, plants, foods, insects, fish and shellfish
Wheat or other flour and enzyme exposures
Isocyanates in spray paints, some glues, foundry moulds, polyurethane foam
Western red cedar dust
Work-exacerbated asthma
Something in the workplace aggravates existing asthma
Perfumes
Dusts (construction, grains)
Ozone (some swimming pools, bottling plants, photocopy machines)
Ammonia (farming environments such as barns)
Fumes, vapours, smoke and gases (metal working fluids, paint fumes, cleaning chemicals)
Environment (cold, heat and humidity)
Internationally, up to 15% of adult onset asthma may be related to the workplace.
Cleaning and janitorial services
Bakeries
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Construction
Agriculture
Automobile spray painting
Insulation and polyurethane work
Fisheries and fish processing
Forestry
Read and be aware of safety data sheet information about respiratory health effects.
Replace substances with less harmful ones.
Minimize exposure (ventilation, enclosures).
Develop administrative controls (such as changing the job or tasks).
Educate workers on proper handling, avoiding spills and good housekeeping practices.
Provide personal protective equipment. This should be the last option.
If there is one worker with asthma symptoms, it may warrant a closer look at the air quality of the workplace and its ventilation controls.
Tightness of the chest
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Coughing
Symptoms are usually worse on work days and improve when away from the workplace.