Over 250 industrial chemicals have been identified as potential triggers for occupational asthma. These are some of the substances:

·      Proteins present in dander, hair, scales, fur, saliva, and bodily wastes of animals are examples of animal compounds.

·      Paints, varnishes, adhesives, laminates, and soldering resin are all made with chemicals. Chemicals used in insulation, packing materials, and foam mattresses and upholstery are some further examples.

·      Detergents and flour conditioners include enzymes.

·      Platinum, chromium, and nickel sulphate are all metals.

·      Proteins present in natural rubber latex, flour, cereals, cotton, flax, hemp, rye, wheat, and papain – a digestive enzyme produced from papaya — are all examples of plant compounds.

·      Chlorine gas, sulphur dioxide, and smoke are all respiratory irritants.

When the lungs get irritated or inflamed, it develops asthma symptoms. inflammation triggers a chain of events that narrow the airways, making breathing harder. Lung inflammation can be produced by an allergic reaction to a chemical in occupational asthma, which normally develops over time. In the absence of allergies, breathing fumes from a lung irritant, such as chlorine, can cause rapid asthma symptoms.

Occupational asthma is treated mostly by removing the patient from the source of exposure. Most people with occupational asthma will deteriorate over time if they are exposed to the trigger, therefore avoiding it is critical. This frequently entails a job change or a shift in responsibilities at work.

Occupational asthma is frequently reversible, which means that if the irritants that caused the asthma are avoided, the symptoms may go away. However, if the individual is exposed for an extended period of time, harm caused might be irreversible.

Occupational asthma can be treated the same manner as typical asthma, with inhaled bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs that open (dilate) the airways (glucocorticoids). The most crucial measure, however, is to minimise additional exposure.