Authors
Tice-CJ; Cummings-KR; Gelberg-KH
Source
J Asthma 2010 Apr; 47(3):310-316
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to determine the percent of adults with asthma attributable to work and describe characteristics of the work-related asthma population in New York State. Sociodemographic and control characteristics of those with and without work-related asthma are compared. METHODS: Data from three population-based surveys and one case-based surveillance system were analyzed. Work-relatedness of asthma was determined by self-report for the population-based surveys and by physician report for the case-based system. Self-reported sociodemographic and control characteristics were analyzed for the population-based surveys by work-relatedness. RESULTS: The percent of work-relatedness among adults with current asthma in New York State ranged from 10.6% to 44.5%. Significantly more adults with work-related asthma had poorly controlled asthma than those without work-related asthma. More adults with work-related asthma also tended to be employed in the manufacturing, educational services, and public administration industries than the general population. The most frequently reported exposure was dust. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with work-related asthma have decreased control and adverse socioeconomic impacts compared to those with asthma that is not work-related. Increased recognition and physician reporting is necessary to further prevent the impact of work-related exposures.
Keywords
Breathing; Exposure-assessment; Exposure-levels; Exposure-methods; Inhalation-studies; Occupational-exposure; Pulmonary-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Respiratory-hypersensitivity; Respiratory-irritants; Respiratory-system-disorders; Statistical-analysis; Work-environment; Workplace-studies;
Author Keywords: asthma; control; occupational; workers; work-related; control
Contact
Cori J Tice, M.P.H., New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, 547 River Street, Troy, NY 12180
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
cxt04@health.state.ny.us
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008474
Source Name
The Journal of Asthma
Performing Organization
Center for Environmental Health