Asthma is a common condition that causes coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness there are lots of causes for asthma but we will look at occupational asthma this is caused by chemicals dust in the work place. Not everyone who becomes sensitised goes on to get the clinical disease but once the lungs become hypersensitive further exposure to the substance, even at quite low levels, may provoke an attack.

Workers may be unaware of the possible relationship between their symptoms and their work. Even if they do suspect a link, they may still be reluctant to present their concerns to any doctor, fearing adverse consequences for their employment. Sometimes symptoms appear several hours after exposure, possible at night, and so any link with workplace activities may not be obvious. Some sufferers become so disabled that they cannot work again

Exposures in occupations such as spray painting, and other work involving urethane varnishes or foams, certain waterproofing agents etc. clearly feature as the highest of the reported asthma cases. Approximately 70,000 people in the UK according to the results of a sample questionnaire in a Labour Force Survey believed that during a one year period they had symptoms of asthma caused, or made worse by substances breathed at work. Chest physicians will be asked to input specific details about patients who suffer from occupational asthma, bronchitis and rhinitis into an online database

Occupational asthma is under-recognised and yet occupation is the cause of asthma for around one in seven of all adults developing the condition during their adult life

Jobs that put people at risk are Vehicle spray painting Foam manufacturing Bakers / flour mill workers Agricultural Dock handling Milling activities Healthcare Offshore Papermaking Agricultural Healthcare Electrical and electronics industries Animal research laboratory and educational activities Moulding and adhesive bonding

Substances known to iiratete Isocyanates Flour dust Grain dust Glutaraldehyde Wood dust Latex (natural rubber latex) eg gloves Solder / colophony rosin - solder fluxes from the fumes Laboratory animals - airborne proteins from animal fur and urine Glues and resins - epoxy resins and hardeners especially anhydride hardening agents

There is a huge list of substances that put you at risk in the work place in developing asthma. you should always take the most care possible to make sure you protect yourself if you find you were put in a situation not your own fault then you may have a case for compensation