Dust, mold, fumes, chemicals and other substances at work can trigger asthma and make it worse. In fact, more than 300 substances in the workplace are known to cause or worsen asthma.
Watch this 30-second video on work-related asthma.
Many people with asthma are exposed to dust, mold, fumes, chemicals and other triggers while they work. Understanding what may be causing or worsening your symptoms can help you reduce their effects, prevent flare-ups and stay healthier at work.
Explore this interactive tool to identify asthma triggers at your workplace.
Some asthma triggers can be job-related and depend on your work setting. It's important for you to know whether your asthma might be caused or made worse at your workplace so that you can take steps to eliminate or minimize the risk.
Work-related asthma causes the same symptoms as other types of asthma, including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Here are some things to look for:
Treatment for work-related asthma is similar to other types of asthma, including using inhalers, allergy medications, etc. The biggest difference is reducing your exposure to the things at work that trigger your symptoms.
Depending on your workplace, that could include:
If you suspect you may have work-related asthma, write down your symptoms and when they occur. This will help when you visit your healthcare provider. Download the log sheet and record your symptoms.
Employers play an important role in identifying and reducing workplace asthma triggers to help create a safe and healthy environment for everyone, particularly people with asthma. Worksite triggers can:
Not sure what asthma triggers are present in your workplace? The Worksite Walkthrough tool can help you and your employees identify common triggers and find practical ways to reduce your exposure.
Questions? Call the Vermont Department of Health/Environmental Health at 802-863-7220, extension 0, or contact [email protected].
