Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes work-related asthma as asthma triggered by exposures at work. The agency goes on to report there are over 300 known substances in the workplace that can cause or worsen asthma. Workers can even get work-related asthma when using personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators or face masks.
NIOSH cautions that asthma symptoms can develop shortly after an exposure. However, they can also develop months or years after repeated exposures to harmful substances.
Symptoms of work-related asthma are the same as those for non-work related asthma. They may include:
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
NIOSH also warns that asthma symptoms can come and go, and some workers might not have all of the symptoms. Sometimes breathing problems start at work and continue after leaving work even when exposure has stopped.
Exposure to various irritants, allergens, and physical conditions could act as work-related asthma triggers. Some examples listed by NIOSH include:
• Animal dander, insects, and dust mites
• Chlorine-based cleaning products
• Cigarette smoke
• Materials from cockroaches
• Cold air
• Dust from wood, grain, flour, or green coffee beans
• Gases such as ozone
Additional examples of triggers shared by the agency include:
• Irritant chemicals
• Metal dust
• Physical exertion
• Pollen and plants
• Strong fumes
• Vapors from chemicals (e.g., ammonia, isocyanates, and solvents)
• Wood smoke
Fortunately, work-related asthma can often be prevented or controlled by reducing or eliminating exposure to these and other triggers.
These are just a few of the many things to know about work-related asthma and occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes work-related asthma as asthma triggered by exposures at work. The agency goes on to report there are over 300 known substances in the workplace that can cause or worsen asthma. Workers can even get work-related asthma when using personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators or face masks.
NIOSH cautions that asthma symptoms can develop shortly after an exposure. However, they can also develop months or years after repeated exposures to harmful substances.
Symptoms of work-related asthma are the same as those for non-work related asthma. They may include:
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
NIOSH also warns that asthma symptoms can come and go, and some workers might not have all of the symptoms. Sometimes breathing problems start at work and continue after leaving work even when exposure has stopped.
Exposure to various irritants, allergens, and physical conditions could act as work-related asthma triggers. Some examples listed by NIOSH include:
• Animal dander, insects, and dust mites
• Chlorine-based cleaning products
• Cigarette smoke
• Materials from cockroaches
• Cold air
• Dust from wood, grain, flour, or green coffee beans
• Gases such as ozone
Additional examples of triggers shared by the agency include:
• Irritant chemicals
• Metal dust
• Physical exertion
• Pollen and plants
• Strong fumes
• Vapors from chemicals (e.g., ammonia, isocyanates, and solvents)
• Wood smoke
Fortunately, work-related asthma can often be prevented or controlled by reducing or eliminating exposure to these and other triggers.
These are just a few of the many things to know about work-related asthma and occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
CTSI ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
