Workers
"Employers and their health and safety personnel should inform workers about any causes of occupational asthma in the workplace and the need to report any relevant symptoms as soon as they develop" - UK Occupational asthma guidelines
Occupational asthma information for workers, those diagnosed with occupational asthma and concerned friends and family.
| The jobs section contains information on the dangers of occupational asthma in selected jobs. references and links are provided. |
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| The agents section contains information on the occupational asthma causative agents / sensitisers. Related jobs, references and links are provided. |
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Have I got occupational asthma?
In order to find out if you have occupational asthma you will need to measure your breathing and have the results analysed. Follow the links below (preferably in order) to find out how. In the UK you can simply go to your GP and inform them that you may have occupational asthma.
Discussions for workers
You can comment on the latest question from a worker:
| Can anyone recommend a specialist in the field of continued irritated lungs in the south of England. I worked with waste transformer oils in an unsuitable environment for 10 months suffering from lung problems initially burning and shortness of breath.
The company whilst admittiing fume exposure have refused to state what fumes (as thay probabaly dont truely know as it was a waste product). To the best of my knowledge they would have included mineral oil, furfuraldehyde, carbon monoxide, acetalyde, alcohols, solvents (cleaning the bottles), poly chlorinated biphenols, ,various metals,maybe BHT and other unknown oil preservatives at unknown levels. No monitoring or PPE and no complete safety data sheet for this waste product. I also sourced latex gloves which I have since found out are not suitable for use with this type of product. Transformer oil is designed to absorb 2-3 times its weight in gases and the bottles I were handling were deliberatley not sealed to reduce the chances of explosion.
The histamine challenge I lasted for about 1 minute in Dec 08 but I had a really bad time metabolising sulbutimol the nebulised stuff made me ill for two days. Had a peak flow score of 2.4 but by that time I got an appointment my company had outsourced the work to a laboratory, and I was being effected by all irritants inside and outside of work and lung function was reduced by things like paint, new carpets, new mdf etc as well as work (in a refinary). At the respiratory clinic they paid no attention or made any reference to my work exposures that started these symptoms.
I have avoided all chemicals as far as posssible since jan 09 on doctors advice.
I suffer from burning lungs coughing up of phlem and shortness of breath when I come into contact with irritants (smoke, cigarette smoke, sulphur dioxide, bleach some perfumes, tarmac, petrol, solvents, airfreshners etc). Before working there I had no history at all of any asthma and have never smoked.
I am looking for any advice on what I should do now a one respiratory consultants and a doctor have said I do not have asthma because I dont have a wheeze or a chronic cough, I just clear my throat and upper airways a lot when aggrevated I wouldn't call it a chronic cough. i have shortage of breath and pain in my lungs. I was also told I would make a recovery if I left work. I have beem chemical free for 18 months and no improvement when exposed. Any advice would be gratefully received. I went back to my GP who recommended a course of antibiotics which I refused. I do not believe I have a chest infection this is the reaction I get everyday irritants on a regular basis but I can no longer afford not to work. When I am shut up in doors or in the open air away from everything I am absolutely fine!
However financially I cannot afford to stay at home any more. Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
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Worker Resources
Pages for Workers
Links for Workers
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British Lung Foundation
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| The British Lung Foundation is the only charity in the UK that funds research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of all lung diseases. It also runs the Breathe Easy network, offering information and support to lung condition sufferers, their friends, families, carers and health professionals. |
| http://www.lunguk.org |
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WebMD Health - Asthma and Occupational Asthma
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| This United States website has a lot of non technical information about asthma and some about occupational asthma. It clearly explains the basics and goes on to talk about asthma triggers, diagnosis and treatment options, living with asthma day to day, instructions for taking different types of inhalers and suchlike. |
| http://www.webmd.com/content/article/46/1660_51089?z=1660_51062_6507_00_10 |
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American Lung Association (includes other hazards and diseases besides asthma)
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| A voluntary US organisation aiming to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. A lot of specialist and non specialist information. Over 200 local centres within the US. |
| http://www.lungusa.org/occupational/index.html |