II. Pathophysiology

  1. Type of Work-Related Asthma
    1. Irritant-induced Asthma accounts for 10% of Occupational Asthma cases
    2. Allergic Occupational Asthma (sensitizer IgE mediated immune response) accounts for 90% of cases
  2. Irritants cause direct cell damage and inflammation
    1. Typically caused by a single, high exposure to an irritant

III. Symptoms

  1. Asthma symptoms occur within 24 hours of exposure
  2. Cough
  3. Wheezing
  4. Shortness of Breath

IV. Causes

  1. 2-DiethylAminoEthanolamine
  2. Acetic Acid
  3. Anhydrous ammonia
  4. Bleaching chemicals
  5. Burning paint fumes
  6. Chlorine gas (e.g. paper mill worker)
  7. Diesel exhaust fumes
  8. Free-based Cocaine
  9. Floor sealant
  10. Hydrochloric acid
  11. Hydrogen Sulfide
  12. Inhaled smoke fumes (e.g. firefighters, rescue workers)
  13. Irritant dust (e.g. construction worker, rescue worker)
  14. Phosgene
  15. Phosphoric acid
  16. Silicon
  17. Silo gas
  18. Sodium hydroxide
  19. Sulfuric acid
  20. Sulfur Dioxide (e.g. Coal-fired power plant)
  21. Tear Gas
  22. Toluene diisocyanate
  23. Trichlorosilane
  24. Welding fumes
  25. Zinc chloride

V. Management

  1. Manage as acute reactive airway disease
  2. Consult poison control and specific OSHA Safety Data Sheets

VI. References

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