|
|
Occupational asthma |
There are two types of occupational asthma:
- reactive airway dysfunction syndrome and
- allergic occupational asthma.
Occupational asthma results from exposure to some type of irritant.
Examples of workplace irritants include dye exposure in textile workers,
metals in refinery workers, formaldehyde in health-care workers, animal
dander in certain laboratory workers, acrylates in adhesive handlers,
and exposure to flour and grain dust in bakery workers.
In reactive airway dysfunction syndrome, a single, very high exposure
to a certain chemical or irritant can cause the development of asthma
like symptoms. Some agents known to cause such a problem are inhaled
smoke, ammonia, floor sealant and bleaching agents. In allergic occupational
asthma, repeated low levels of exposure to a chemical or irritant
can lead to allergic or asthma like symptoms.
In allergic occupational asthma, symptoms may start within 20 minutes
of exposure to the causative agent, or symptoms may not start until
three to four hours after exposure. These symptoms may include wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, extreme fatigue and shortness of breath
that start after exposure to the irritant.
Any adult with new onset of these symptoms, and no prior history of
asthma, is suspected of having occupational asthma. To confirm the
diagnosis of occupational asthma, your doctor will perform a very
detailed history, including questioning if other workers at the workplace
have similar symptoms, if symptoms improve when you are not at work
and what agents you are exposed to at work. Special breathing tests
are ordered. These tests are performed outside of the workplace and
after you have been at the workplace for a period of time (the amount
of time it takes for your symptoms to start).
The best treatment for allergic occupational asthma is to eliminate
exposure to the causative agent. Continued exposure can result in
serious complications.[...] report your symptoms to a company's representative
and to your health-care provider.
[BY DENNIS CARDONE FOR THE STAR-LEDGER] |
Sick Building Syndrome |
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) refers to a situation in which building
occupants experience health problems while inside a particular building.
Human health issues typically associated with SBS range from allergy
attacks and asthma to more complex medical problems involving exposure
to toxins.
Mold is a common cause of SBS, said Mani Skaria, Ph.D, plant pathology
professor and interim chair of the Department of Agronomy and Resource
Sciences, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX. "Mold has
been known to humans since ancient times and it is impossible to
eliminate mold from our lives," Skaria said. "However,
we now have the technological ability to detect mold growth in its
infancy to control it."
Apart from mold, dust and other antigens also cause SBS. This makes
SBS a complex problem and requires objective inspections for possible
causes to detect and manage SBS. Skaria cites a need for more plant
pathologists and mycologists to study building-related mold growth
and development and SBS syndrome in real-world conditions.
More on this topic will be presented during the Identification
of Fungi Involved in Sick Building Syndrome workshop at the APS
Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, July 30 - August 3, 2005. The workshop
will offer the latest information on building inspections, assessing
mold in a building, sampling techniques, mold growth areas, common
misconceptions, new building construction, industry standards, legal
issues, and possible solutions as well as discuss proactive strategies
to be taken during house construction in order to control mold,
insect, and mite-related allergens.
[Author:American Phytopathological Society]
High VOC Concentrations - a significant factor in developing
"Sick Building Syndrome"
In a study of the 100 buildings of the US EPA Building Assessment
Survey and Evaluation (BASE), it was found that VOC sources were observed
to play a role in direct association with mucous membrane and lower
respiratory irritation, and possibly to be indirectly involved in
indoor chemical reactions with ozone that produce irritating compounds
associated with SBS symptoms.
(LBNL-51570)
|
|
