title: Occupational exposures associated with work-related asthma and work-related wheezing among U.S. workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  National estimates of occupational asthma (OA) in the United States are sparse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988-1994, we analyzed associations between occupation and work-related asthma and work-related wheezing among U.S. workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study identified several occupations that were at risk of developing work-related asthma and/or wheezing, with cleaners and equipment cleaners showing the highest risks. Other major occupations identified were farm and agriculture; entertainment; protective services; construction; mechanics and repairers; textile; fabricators and assemblers; other transportation and material moving occupations; freight, stock, and material movers; and motor vehicle operators. The population attributable risks for work-related asthma and work-related wheezing were 26% and 27%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study adds evidence to the literature that identifies work-related asthma as an important public health problem. Several occupations are targeted for additional evaluation and study. Of particular interest are cleaners, which are being increasingly reported as a risk group for asthma. Future intervention strategies need to be developed for effective control and prevention of asthma in the workplace.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019352:Censuses; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology