Asthma attack

Occupational asthma symptoms are similar to those caused by other types of asthma. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Wheezing, sometimes just at night
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

Other possible accompanying signs and symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Eye irritation and tearing

Occupational asthma symptoms depend on the substance you're exposed to, how long and how often you're exposed, and other factors. Your symptoms may:

• Get worse as the workweek progresses, go away during weekends and vacations, and recur when you return to work.
• Occur both at work and away from work.
• Start as soon as you're exposed to an asthma-inducing substance at work or only after a period of regular exposure to the substance.
• Continue after exposure is stopped. The longer you're exposed to the asthma-causing substance, the more likely you'll have long-lasting or permanent asthma symptoms.

More than 250 workplace substances have been identified as possible causes of occupational asthma. These substances include:

• Animal substances, such as proteins found in dander, hair, scales, fur, saliva and body wastes.
• Chemicals used to make paints, varnishes, adhesives, laminates and soldering resin. Other examples include chemicals used to make insulation, packaging materials, and foam mattresses and upholstery.
• Enzymes used in detergents and flour conditioners.
• Metals, particularly platinum, chromium and nickel sulfate.
• Plant substances, including proteins found in natural rubber latex, flour, cereals, cotton, flax, hemp, rye, wheat and papain — a digestive enzyme derived from papaya.
• Respiratory irritants, such as chlorine gas, sulfur dioxide and smoke.

Asthma symptoms start when your lungs become irritated (inflamed). Inflammation causes several reactions that restrict the airways, making breathing difficult. With occupational asthma, lung inflammation may be triggered by an allergic response to a substance, which usually develops over time. Alternatively, inhaling fumes from a lung irritant, such as chlorine, can trigger immediate asthma symptoms in the absence of allergy.

The intensity of your exposure increases your risk of developing occupational asthma. In addition, you will have increased risk if:

• You have existing allergies or asthma. Although this can increase your risk, many people who have allergies or asthma do jobs that expose them to lung irritants and never have symptoms.
• Allergies or asthma runs in your family. Your parents may pass down a genetic predisposition to asthma.
• You work around known asthma triggers. Some substances are known to be lung irritants and asthma triggers.
• You smoke. Smoking increases your risk of developing asthma if you are exposed to certain types of irritants.

High-risk occupations

It's possible to develop occupational asthma in almost any workplace. But your risk is higher if you work in certain occupations. Some of the riskiest jobs and the asthma-producing substances associated with them include the following:

The longer you're exposed to a substance that causes occupational asthma, the worse your symptoms may become — and the longer it will take for them to improve once you end your exposure to the irritant. In some cases, exposure to airborne asthma triggers can cause permanent lung changes, resulting in disability or death.