Occupational asthma: what can be done to prevent it?

Abstract

Occupational asthma (OA) accounts for at least 10% of cases of adult asthma and presents as intermittent asthma occurring at the workplace and remitting on weekends and holidays, or persistent asthma, especially if the diagnosis and early intervention is delayed. OA is under-recognized, challenging and time-consuming to diagnose, difficult to confirm with currently available tests and complex in terms of legal implications of disability and impairment. Over 400 agents have been identified as causing OA with allergic triggers accounting for 80–90% of cases. Managing the worker with OA is demanding as it requires the most thorough evaluation with attention to detail to provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a thoughtful treatment recommendation. This frequently has to occur in the context of various competing entities including management, unions, insurance carriers and attorneys. The primary goal is excellent employee health through interventions that may allow the worker to continue in their occupation safely. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention measures have been adopted for various types of OA with success. Novel approaches may become available and be beneficial to identify and treat OA early before severe, chronic, unremitting and irreversible changes occur.