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Home  >  Articles  >  Occupational Asthma

Occupational Asthma

According to a report issued by the Global Initiative for Asthma, there are 250,000 deaths each year attributable to the effects of the illness. This serves to illustrate exactly how dangerous this condition can be, even though there is a tendency to regard it as something simple to live with. While the prognosis may not be dire, it is important that you have the medical care and advice necessary to control your symptoms or respond in an emergency situation.

Frighteningly, occupational asthma can strike without warning, having developed as a direct consequence of your work-related duties and the circumstances of your workplace environment. If you now have occupational asthma, you may be able to file a claim seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Contact an experienced New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer from Levinson Axelrod, P.A., today at 1-888-389-COMP to learn more about your legal rights.

Types of Occupational Asthma

Suffering an asthma attack can be a terrifying experience as your airways suddenly begin to tighten and produce mucus, preventing you from breathing. Coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing are just a few of the symptoms of asthma. For most people, the development of occupational asthma occurs in one of two main ways.

First, your body can become allergic to a substance that you constantly encounter at work. When you come into contact with the item again, your immune system’s response can trigger an asthma attack. Another way that some people develop asthma is as a direct result of the irritant itself. The instant you inhale the irritant, your airways begin to swell, cutting off your lungs. This is especially dangerous because even trace amounts of the irritant can lead to an attack.

Common Triggers for Occupational Asthma

Unfortunately, researchers have identified over 300 possible irritants for occupational asthma. Some common irritants include:

  • Pet dander
  • Metals such as platinum
  • Chemicals in adhesives and paints
  • Plant products
  • Enzymes in everything from cosmetics to meat tenderizers

If you develop occupational asthma, it is important that you completely avoid the irritant that triggers an asthma flare-up in order to prevent potentially deadly attacks. This might require that you discontinue working in your current position or that other modifications be made to your situation.

Contact Us

If you have developed occupational asthma, you may be eligible for workers’ comp to help you with medication bills and other expenses. To discuss your case, contact a qualified New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney from Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 1-888-389-COMP today.