Occupational Asthma

During the last decade, our data sources suggest there has been an overall decrease in occupational asthma. However, new cases continue to occur particularly in jobs where there is exposure to isocyanates in spray paint and flour dust.

The latest information shows:

• In 2011 there were an estimated 148 new cases of occupational asthma (asthma caused directly by work) seen by chest physicians (SWORD). This is likely to be an underestimate
• Other data sources suggest the total number of new cases in the wider category of work-related asthma (asthma caused or made worse by work) each year could be more than 10 times higher than this (LFS, THOR-GP)
• During 2009-2011, 'vehicle paint sprayers' and 'bakers and flour confectioners' were the occupations with the highest rates of new cases per year (SWORD)
• The most common causes of occupational asthma continue to be isocyanates, and flour/grain (THOR)

Figure 1: Occupational asthma in Great Britain, 1999-2011