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Work-aggravated asthma.

Pechter E

SENSOR Occup Lung Dis Bull 2006 Mar; :1-2

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/occupational-health/sensor-lung-disease-bulletins/mar06.pdf

20042673

This issue of the Occupational Lung Disease Bulletin focuses on work-aggravated asthma, preexisting asthma exacerbated by work. Two Massachusetts cases - one reported by a physician and the other identified through a review of emergency department records - are briefly described, and a journal article on work-aggravated asthma is summarized. OHSP relies upon diagnosis and reporting of cases of work-related asthma from occupational medicine, primary care, and pulmonary practitioners for surveillance and prevention activities. Remember to report suspected and confirmed cases of work-related asthma, including work-aggravated asthma, to OHSP by phone, fax or mail. Case 1 - A 44-year-old non-smoking woman with a history of asthma experienced worsening symptoms when renovation was conducted in her office building. She had worked in this job for six years prior to this incident. She reported wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath starting shortly after renovation activities commenced on the floor above hers. Case 2 - A 42-year-old emergency room nurse had an exacerbation of her asthma after exposure to a floor buffing product in the hospital. She had been diagnosed with asthma in her 20s, and had a history of allergies to dust, ragweed, cats and hazelnuts. She had never smoked. She had worked in this hospital for two years, and in the emergency department, for one year prior to this incident.

Occupational-diseases; Occupational-health; Lung-disease; Work-environment; Occupational-exposure; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Bronchial-asthma; Employee-exposure; Occupational-respiratory-disease; Health-care; Surveillance-programs; Lung-irritants; Case-studies; Medical-services; Emergency-care; Airway-resistance; Office-workers; Construction-materials; Nurses; Nursing; Allergic-reactions; Allergies; Emergency-care; Emergency-treatment

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Surveillance Program, 250 Washington Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108

20060301

Other

Cooperative Agreement

2006

Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-103010

SENSOR Occupational Lung Disease Bulletin

MA

Massachusetts State Department of Public Health