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Asthma and Allergies

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Asthma and Allergies

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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 2009, the RDRP has produced more publications on WEA than any other research center in the world, with 8 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, and have a lower quality of life than adults who have asthma that is not related to work. Additional research and communication efforts are needed to prevent WEA. In 2008, RDRP staff started working with researchers from other countries to investigate WEA, using data from a multinational epidemiologic study. Dr. Paul Henneberger chairs the ATS Work-Exacerbated Asthma Committee that is developing an official ATS statement on this topic.

NIOSH Publications on Workplace Exacerbation of Asthma

Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals

Book Chapter

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Page last updated: March 24, 2009
Page last reviewed: September 2, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Information Division