Workplace triggers that could be causing or worsening asthma

World Asthma Day, held on the first Tuesday in May each year, is an opportunity to raise awareness about how workplace exposures to certain dusts, chemicals, fumes and gases in the workplace can cause or exacerbate asthma, a chronic lung condition that can become irreversible if not identified early. 

Recent Australian research has highlighted that work-related asthma remains a significant and often under-recognised health risk, even in industries where major safety reforms have been introduced.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory condition in which the airways become inflamed, narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. Asthma symptoms can vary from person to person and may include:

• shortness of breath
• chest tightness or pain
• wheezing when exhaling
• trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing
• coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus

What is occupational, or work-related asthma?

Occupational asthma is a type of asthma that includes both asthma caused by work (work-related asthma) and asthma exacerbated by work (work-exacerbated asthma). Research studies have estimated that up to 25% of adults have work-related asthma, and 15% of adult-onset asthma may be caused by hazardous occupational exposures.

What causes work-related or work-exacerbated asthma?

Over 360 compounds/processes have been described as causes of work-related asthma or work-exacerbated asthma, including diesel fumes, wood dust, flour, isocyanates, latex, animal proteins, metals, adhesives, coffee bean dust, soybean dust, mould, milk powder, egg powder, wheat, dyes, smoke and various chemicals. 

More than 360 compounds and processes have been linked to work-related asthma or work-exacerbated asthma. Common examples include:

• diesel exhaust
• wood dust
• flour
• isocyanates
• Latex
• animal proteins
• metals
• adhesives
• coffee bean dust
• soybean dust
• mould
• milk powder
• egg powder
• wheat
• dyes
• smoke and various chemicals.

What the latest research shows about engineered stone and asthma risk

Recent Australian research has found that workers who cut and install engineered stone benchtops remain at a significantly higher risk of developing asthma, even in the absence of silicosis.

A study of stone benchtop workers found that:

• one in five engineered stone workers reported having asthma
• this is twice the rate seen in the general population
• asthma was reported even in workers without silicosis
• over half of workers said their symptoms improved on weekends or holidays, a classic sign of work-related asthma

These findings are particularly concerning given that Australia has become the first country in the world to ban engineered stone containing crystalline silica. While the ban is a major step toward preventing silicosis, researchers caution that it does not eliminate asthma risk.

Artificial and engineered stone products, including some newer “silica-free” alternatives, may still contain substances such as:

• polymer resins
• epoxies
• acids

These substances are well-known causes of occupational asthma in other industries and may still be present in benchtop materials entering the market.

The research highlight the importance of:

• early recognition of asthma symptoms
• independent safety testing of new products
• clinicians routinely asking about occupational exposures when assessing asthma symptoms

Without early identification and reduced exposure, work-related asthma can become chronic or irreversible.

Which jobs have a higher risk of work-related asthma?

Some of the most high-risk occupations for work-related asthma and work-exacerbated asthma include:

• bakers
• pastry makers
• food processors
• spray painters
• hairdressers
• woodworkers
• cleaners
• farmers
• animal handlers
• veterinarians
• insulation installers
• plastics and foam industry workers
• metal workers
• textile workers
• shellac handlers
• laboratory technicians
• welders

What should you do if you have been exposed at work?

If you have worked somewhere with exposure to compounds such as flour dust, wood dust, metal dust, latex, animal proteins and you are experiencing asthma symptoms, it’s important to:

• see your GP as early as possible
• tell them about your job and workplace exposures, including duration and intensity
• follow their advice regarding lung function testing, monitoring or referral

Early identification matters, as work-related asthma can become chronic or irreversible if exposure continues.

Related article: For tips on how to prepare for your GP consultation, read Three things to tell your doctor.

Why you might need legal advice

If you have been diagnosed with asthma or your existing asthma has exacerbated, and you have a history of work exposure to any of the compounds listed above, or you work in a high-risk occupation, it is essential to get legal advice to help you understand your rights and options.