Work-related Asthma Exposures

Occupations and exposures

Animal health

• Anesthetic agents
• Animal proteins from hair/fur, saliva, urine, and dander
• Biocides (glutaraldehyde and chlorhexidine)
• Cleaning products
• Drugs - antibiotics
• Endotoxin
• Enzymes
• Latex
• Pollen

Cleaning services

• Acetic acid and other acids
• Acids
• Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide)
• Biocides
• Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
• Chloramines
• Formaldehyde
• Glutaraldehyde
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride)
• Spray products

Cosmetology

• Acrylic monomers
• Bleaching agents
• Biocides
• Formaldehyde
• Hair dyes
• Henna
• Latex
• Persulfates

Farming and food production

• Cereals and grains
• Egg protein
• Endotoxin
• Enzymes
• Fish and shellfish
• Green coffee beans/dust
• Insects
• Milk protein
• Plants
• Plant products (natural rubber latex)
• Plant proteins (grain, wheat, coffee beans/dust, tea, flours)
• Pollen

Healthcare

• Acrylic monomers
• Aerosolized medications (e.g., pentamidine, ribavirin)
• Anesthetic agents
• Biocides (e.g., gluteraldehydes and chlorhexidine)
• Cleaning products (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds)
• Drugs (antibiotics)
• Enzymes
• Latex
• Metal in dental alloys
• Orthopedic adhesives (methacrylate)
• Psyllium

Industrial, manufacturing, or construction

• Acid anhydrides (epoxy resin, dye)
• Acrylic monomers (adhesives)
• Aliphatic amines (e.g., ethylenediamines and ethanolamines)
• Complex platinum salts
• Diisocyanates (e.g., polyurethane and plastic production, spray painting, foamcoating manufacturing)
• Enzymes (e.g., amlyases, lipases, proteases)
• Metal dusts
• Metal salts
• Metalworking fluid
• Western red cedar
• Wood dusts or barks

Laborataory

• Animal proteins (from hair/fur, saliva, urine, and dander)
• Enzymes
• Fungi
• Latex

Office and education

• Indoor dampness and mold (indoor environmental quality)
• Vegetable gums (printer ink)