Asthma and Allergies

NIOSH Leads Research on Workplace Exacerbation of Asthma

A 2003 statement of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) included the observation that asthma exacerbated by conditions at work was likely to be responsible for as much illness and loss of productivity as asthma caused by work. However, workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA) had received little attention from clinicians, researchers, and public health officials. More research on the frequency and causes of WEA was needed to guide preventive actions. Dr. Paul Henneberger and others in the Respiratory Disease Research Program (RDRP) at NIOSH recognized this need several years ago and took action. Initially, they conducted descriptive studies of WEA by collaborating with research institutions in Maine and Colorado, and by summarizing data collected by NIOSH-supported SENSOR surveillance programs in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey. Then, they successfully competed for National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) funds that supported a 5-year study of WEA. This NORA research project also benefited from additional financial support from the National Center for Environmental Health. As of January 2007, the RDRP has produced more publications on WEA than any other research center in the world, with 6 articles in peer-reviewed journals and a book chapter (see below). The findings from several of these articles indicate that WEA is common, occurring in approximately one-fourth of working adults with asthma. Also, WEA cases experience many of the same adverse health consequences as individuals with asthma caused by work. Additional research is needed to understand and prevent WEA. RDRP staff members are currently preparing manuscripts that examine quality of life and cost of care associated with WEA. Dr. Paul Henneberger chairs the ATS Work-Exacerbated Asthma Committee that is developing an official ATS statement on this topic. Looking to the future, RDRP researchers are talking with partners about a possible international collaborative study and the development of preventive strategies.

NIOSH Publications on Workplace Exacerbation of Asthma

Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals

• Henneberger PK, Hoffman CD, Magid DJ, Lyons EE. Work-related exacerbation of asthma. Int J Occup Environ Health 2002;8:291-296.

• Henneberger PK, Deprez RD, Asdigian N, et al. Workplace exacerbation of asthma symptoms: findings from a population-based study in Maine. Arch Env Hlth 2003;58:781-788.
• Goe SK, Henneberger PK, Reilly MJ, et al. A descriptive study of work-aggravated asthma. Occup Environ Med 2003;61:512-517.
• Henneberger PK, Derk SJ, Sama SR, et al. The frequency of workplace exacerbation among health maintenance organization members with asthma. Occup Environ Med 2006;63:551-557.
• Bolen AR, Henneberger PK, Liang X, et al. The validation of work-related self-reported asthma exacerbation. Occup Environ Med Published Online First: 20 December 2006.

doi:10.1136/oem.2006.028662.
• Henneberger PK. Work-Exacerbated Asthma. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2007;7(2):146-151.

Book Chapter

• Wagner GR, Henneberger PK. Asthma Exacerbated at Work. Asthma in the Workplace and Related Conditions, 3rd Edition. Edited by Bernstein DI, Chan-Yeung M, Malo J-L, Bernstein IL. New York:Taylor and Francis, 2006, pp 631-640.

Asthma and Allergies