WORK-RELATED ASTHMA
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Prevention of Occupational Asthma (OA) Research
What can I find on this Web site?
This site consists of two sections: a text primer on the prevention of OA and a set of query tables with details about the studies described in the primer.
The primer contains information distilled from 94 articles by 70 first authors, detailing 96 primary or secondary OA prevention activities, published from 1977- October 2003. It describes the current state of OA prevention work, and highlights gaps in research that need to be filled.
Since the first literature search in 2003, new articles are sought several times each year. By April 2017, there were 140 articles by 106 first authors, detailing 142 primary or secondary OA prevention activities.
The query tables allow a user to view the studies through several different filters. Users interested in intervention research can view the studies categorized by the level of prevention, either primary or secondary, or by the type of intervention activity used in the study. Users interested in a particular type of agent can view the studies by molecular weight ( high, low, both), by the category of the agent, or by the specific type of agent.
Who will benefit from this Web site?
This site can be used by a variety of individuals. It is designed to provide a background to the work being conducted in the field of OA prevention. It will give occupational health researchers the ability to quickly identify gaps in current knowledge, to judge which interventions appear most effective and which should be examined for their use in additional studies, and to find basic information on study designs used in research on the prevention of OA. Additionally, policymakers will be able to quickly prioritize prevention research goals.
Prevention of Occupational Asthma
Watch the video on “Research to Inform the Prevention of Asthma in Health Care – Research Study” by Paul Henneberger:
Details on Studies in Query Tables
Intervention Activity
| Activity | Number of studies |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive program | 39 |
| Education/Training | 16 |
| Medical screening | 21 |
| Medication | 2 |
| Not specified | 3 |
| Removal from exposure | 78 |
| Reduction in exposure | 72 |
High-Molecular-Weight Agents
| Category | Agent | Prevention Activity Type (N) Primary |
Prevention Activity Type (N) Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animals | 5 | 10 | |
| Cow dander/hair allergen | 0 | 4 | |
| Crab | 0 | 2 | |
| Laboratory animal allergens | 4 | 3 | |
| Salmon | 1 | 1 | |
| Baking allergens | 2 | 2 | |
| Baking allergens | 1 | 1 | |
| Fungal amylase | 1 | 1 | |
| Biological enzyme | 8 | 3 | |
| Detergent enzyme | 8 | 2 | |
| Phytase | 0 | 1 | |
| Mold | |||
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | 0 | |
| Plants | 11 | 10 | |
| Grain | 0 | 3 | |
| Latex | 9 | 5 | |
| Wheat, buckwheat | 0 | 2 | |
| Flour dust | 2 | 0 |
Low-Molecular-Weight Agents
| Category | Agent | Prevention Activity Type (N) Primary |
Prevention Activity Type (N) Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anhydrides | 1 | 11 | |
| Hexahydro-phthalic anhydride (HHPA) | 1 | 2 | |
| Maleic anhydride | 0 | 1 | |
| Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) | 0 | 1 | |
| Phthalic anhydride | 0 | 1 | |
| Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) | 0 | 1 | |
| Tetracholaphthalic anhydride (TCPA) | 0 | 2 | |
| Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) | 0 | 3 | |
| Other Chemicals | 3 | 4 | |
| Persulfate salts | 0 | 2 | |
| Ortho-phthaladehyde | 1 | 1 | |
| Reactive dye | 0 | 1 | |
| Sulfur dioxide | 1 | 0 | |
| Various | 1 | 0 | |
| Diisocyanates | 3 | 25 | |
| Diisocyanates (general) | 1 | 5 | |
| Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) | 2 | 1 | |
| Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) | 0 | 1 | |
| Isocyanates (unspecified) | 0 | 3 | |
| Napthylene diisocyanate (NDI) | 0 | 1 | |
| Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) | 0 | 14 | |
| Fluxes | |||
| Colophony | 0 | 1 | |
| Metals | 3 | 13 | |
| Aluminum | 3 | 7 | |
| Chromium | 0 | 1 | |
| Cobalt | 0 | 2 | |
| Platinum | 0 | 3 | |
| Wood dust or bark | |||
| Red cedar (western) | 0 | 5 | |
| Smoke | |||
| Second hand smoke | 1 | 1 |
Both Molecular Weights
| Category | Agent | Prevention Activity Type (N) Primary |
Prevention Activity Type (N) Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 1 | 28 | |
| N/A | 0 | 22 | |
| Flour, Latex, wood dust, isocyanates etc. | 1 | 3 | |
| Small particles of oil mist | 0 | 1 | |
| Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) | 0 | 2 |
Resources
Review Articles and Editorials
The references in this section are editorials and review articles that provide summaries of findings from existing studies. They are included as another source of information about the prevention of work-related asthma.
Abramson MJ, Koplin J, Hoy R, Dharmage SC. Population-wide preventive interventions for reducing the burden of chronic respiratory disease. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2015 Sep;19(9):1007-18. Review.
Baur X, Sigsgaard T, Aasen TB, Burge PS, Heederik D, Henneberger P, Maestrelli P, Rooyackers J, Schlünssen V, Vandenplas O, Wilken D; Guidelines for the management of work-related asthma. Eur Respir J. 2012 Mar;39(3):529-45.
Baur X, Aasen TB, Burge PS, Heederik D, Henneberger PK, Maestrelli P, Schlünssen V, Vandenplas O, Wilken D; ERS Task Force on the Management of Work-related Asthma. The management of work-related asthma guidelines: a broader perspective. Eur Respir Rev. 2012 Jun 1;21(124):125-39.
Birdi K, Beach J. Management of sensitizer-induced occupational asthma: avoidance or reduction of exposure? Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Apr;13(2):132-7.
Bougault V, Boulet LP. Airway dysfunction in swimmers. Br J Sports Med. 2012 May;46(6):402-6.
Cowl CT. Occupational asthma: review of assessment, treatment, and compensation. Chest. 2011 Mar;139(3):674-81.
Dykewicz MS. Occupational asthma: current concepts in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;123:519-28.
Fishwick D, Barber CM, Bradshaw LM, Harris-Roberts J, Francis M, Naylor S, Ayres J, Burge PS, Corne JM, Cullinan P, Frank TL, Hendrick D, Hoyle J, Jaakkola M, Newman-Taylor A, Nicholson P, Niven R, Pickering A, Rawbone R, Stenton C, Warburton CJ, Curran AD. Standards of care for occupational asthma. Thorax. 2008;63:240-250.
Fishwick D, Barber CM, Bradshaw LM, Ayres JG, Barraclough R, Burge S, Corne JM, Cullinan P, Frank TL, Hendrick D, Hoyle J, Curran AD, Niven R, Pickering T, Reid P, Robertson A, Stenton C, Warburton CJ, Nicholson PJ. Standards of care for occupational asthma: an update. Thorax. 2012 Mar;67(3):278-80.
Folletti I, Zock JP, Moscato G, Siracusa A. Asthma and rhinitis in cleaning workers: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. J Asthma. 2014 Feb;51(1):18-28.
Folletti I, Forcina A, Marabini A, Bussetti A, Siracusa A. Have the prevalence and incidence of occupational asthma and rhinitis because of laboratory animals declined in the last 25 years? Allergy. 2008 Jul; 63(7):834-41.
Gore JC, Schal C. Cockroach Allergen Biology and Mitigation in the Indoor Environment. Annu Rev Entomol. 2007; 52:439-63.
de Groene GJ, Pal TM, Beach J, Tarlo SM, Spreeuwers D, Frings-Dresen MH, Mattioli S, Verbeek JH. Workplace interventions for treatment of occupational asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 May 11;5:CD006308.
de Groene GJ, Pal TM, Beach J, Tarlo SM, Spreeuwers D, Frings-Dresen MH, Mattioli S, Verbeek JH. Workplace interventions for treatment of occupational asthma: a Cochrane systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2012 May;69(5):373-4.
Heederik D, Van Rooy F. Exposure assessment should be integrated in studies on the prevention and management of occupational asthma. Occup Environ Med. 2008 Mar; 65(3):149-50.
Heederik D. Recognition and surveillance of occupational asthma: a preventable illness with missed opportunities. Br Med Bull. 2010;95:175-92.
Heederik D, Henneberger PK, Redlich CA; ERS Task Force on the Management of Work-related Asthma. Primary prevention: exposure reduction, skin exposure and respiratory protection. Eur Respir Rev. 2012 Jun 1;21(124):112-24.
Henneberger PK, Redlich CA, Callahan DB, Harber P, Lemière C, Martin J, Tarlo SM, Vandenplas O, Torén K. An official American Thoracic Society statement: work-exacerbated asthma. ATS Ad Hoc Committee on Work-Exacerbated Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011 Aug 1;184(3):368-78.
Jeebhay MF, Quirce S. Occupational asthma in the developing and industrialised world: a review. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2007;11:122-33.
Kippelen P, Fitch KD, Anderson SD, Bougault V, Boulet LP, Rundell KW, Sue-Chu M, McKenzie DC. Respiratory health of elite athletes – preventing airway injury: a critical review. Br J Sports Med. 2012 Jun;46(7):471-6.
Kongerud J, Søyseth V. Respiratory disorders in aluminum smelter workers. J Occup Environ Med. 2014 May;56(5 Suppl):S60-70.
LaMontagne AD, Radi S, Elder DS, Abramson MJ, and Sim M. Primary prevention of latex related sensitisation and occupational asthma: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med 2006, 63:359–364.
Lee SM, Koh D. Lessons from an isocyanate tragedy. Singapore Med J. 2008 May; 49(5):372-5. Review. PMID: 18465044.
Maestrelli P, Saetta M. Recovery from adult-onset asthma and airway remodeling. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007 Dec;37(12):1733-5.
Malo JL, Chan-Yeung M. Asthma in the workplace: a Canadian contribution and perspective. Can Respir J. 2007 Oct; 14(7):407-13.
Moscato G. Focus on work-related asthma. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 May; 45(3):67-73.
Moscato G, Pala G, Boillat MA, Folletti I, Gerth van Wijk R, Olgiati-Des Gouttes D, Perfetti L, Quirce S, Siracusa A, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Tarlo SM. EAACI position paper: prevention of work-related respiratory allergies among pre-apprentices or apprentices and young workers. Allergy. 2011 Sep;66(9):1164-73.
Nicholson PJ, Cullinan P, Burge S; British Occupational Health Research Foundation. Concise guidance: diagnosis, management and prevention of occupational asthma. Clin Med. 2012 Apr;12(2):156-9.
Pacheco KA, Tarlo SM. Work-related asthma: a case-based approach to management. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2011 Nov;31(4):729-46.
Quint J, Beckett WS, Campleman SL, Sutton P, Prudhomme J, Flattery J, Harrison R, Cowan B, Kreutzer R. Primary prevention of occupational asthma: identifying and controlling exposures to asthma-causing agents. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2008; 51:477–491.
Redlich, CA. Lung/skin connections in occupational lung disease. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Apr;8(2):115-9.
Reeb-Whitaker C, Anderson NJ, Bonauto DK. Prevention guidance for isocyanate-induced asthma using occupational surveillance data. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2013;10(11):597-608.
Szram J, Cullinan P. Medical surveillance for prevention of occupational asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Apr;13(2):138-44.
Smith AM.The epidemiology of work-related asthma.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2011 Nov;31(4):663-75.
Smith AM, Bernstein DI. Management of work-related asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Mar;123(3):551-7.
Tarlo SM, Balmes J, Balkissoon R, Beach J, Beckett W, Bernstein D, Blanc PD, Brooks SM, Cowl CT, Daroowalla F, Harber P, Lemiere C, Liss GM, Pacheco KA, Redlich CA, Rowe B, Heitzer J. Diagnosis and Management of Work-Related Asthma: American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Statement. Chest Sep 2008: 1S–41S. DOI 10.1378/chest.08-020.
Tarlo SM, Lemiere C. Occupational asthma. N Engl J Med. 2014 Feb 13;370(7):640-9.
Tarlo SM, Liss GM.Prevention of occupational asthma. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2010 Jul;10(4):278-86.
Tarlo SM, Malo JL; An official American Thoracic Society proceedings: work-related asthma and airway diseases. Presentations and discussion from the Fourth Jack Pepys Workshop on Asthma in the Workplace. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2013 Aug;10(4):S17-24.
Tarlo SM. Prevention of Occupational Asthma in Ontario. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007 Jan; 85(1):167-72.
Tarlo SM. Update on work-exacerbated asthma. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2016;29(3):369-74.
Vandenplas O. Reduction of exposure in the management of occupational asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Apr;11(2):75-9.
Vandenplas O, Dressel H, Wilken d, Jamart J, Heederik D, Maestrelli P, Sigsgaard T, Henneberger P, and Baur X. Management of occupational asthma: cessation or reduction of exposure? A systematic review of available evidence. Eur Respir J 2011; 38(4):804-811.
Vandenplas O, Dressel H, Nowak D, Jamart J; ERS Task Force on the Management of Work-related Asthma. What is the optimal management option for occupational asthma? Eur Respir Rev. 2012 Jun 1;21(124):97-104.
Wilken D, Baur X, Barbinova L, Preisser A, Meijer E, Rooyackers J, Heederik D; ERS Task Force on the Management of Work-related Asthma. What are the benefits of medical screening and surveillance? Eur Respir Rev. 2012 Jun 1;21(124):105-11.
Selected Links
The following links provide further guidance on the prevention of work-related asthma.
Disclaimer: Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIOSH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
Asthma: A Business Case for Employers and Health Care Purchasers . Polly Hoppin, ScD; Laurie Stillman, MMHS; Molly Jacobs, MPH. The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production , University of Massachusetts Lowell; and Asthma Regional Council. February 2010.
Summary – The Executive Summary begins with the following statement: “The purpose of this report is twofold: to revisit the robust body of evidence demonstrating positive health outcomes and economic benefits of comprehensive asthma programs, and to analyze its implications for employers.” The chapter “Promoting Best Practices for Asthma: Strategies and Recommendations” highlights three strategies for reducing the burden of asthma. Of particular interest for work-related asthma is Strategy #3 Ensuring Healthy Work Environments. The document recommends the following to accomplish Strategy #3: “Employers should consider two strategies to improve the quality of the work environment for asthma: a) Good housekeeping practices to minimize exposures to ubiquitous allergens and irritants. b) Workplace-specific measures to minimize exposures to asthmagens and asthma triggers, including adopting safer products and practices.” The document also encourages making appropriate accommodations for individual employees with asthma.
Contact Us
Contact us Occupational Asthma Prevention
- Page last reviewed: May 26, 2015
- Page last updated: May 15, 2017
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Respiratory Health Division