Occupational asthma is a lung disease in which the airways overreact to dusts, vapour, gases, fumes or other respiratory irritants that exist in the workplace. It is usually reversible however permanent lung damage can occur if exposure to the substance that causes the disease continues. In highly sensitive people even very low levels of exposure may provoke an episode. When these irritants are inhaled:

• Airway inflammation begins
• Muscles in the airways tighten
• The airway tissue swells
• Too much mucus is produced

There are over 200 substances that are known irritants linked to aggravating asthma attacks. These include latex, wood dust, flour and grain dust, animal and insect dust as well as certain chemicals in spray paint, glue, adhesive and soldering materials.

If a person develops asthma later on in life, then it may have been caused by something in their environment rather than as a result of a hereditary condition. In many cases, asthma is caused by a person’s working conditions. Some causes of asthma are:

• Exposure to Flour
• Exposure to Grain
• Exposure to Isocyanates
• Exposure to Laboratory animals
• Exposure to Latex
• Exposure to Enzymes
• Exposure to Colophony

If you suffer from Asthma as a result of your employers failure to protect your health and safety we can help you to get the compensation you deserve.

If you would like free advice, just use the helpline or complete the claim form.

Our staff are professional, sympathetic to your needs and have excellent knowledge on respiratory diseases within the claims sector.

Call us now on 0800 118 58855