Work-related asthma among health care workers: surveillance data from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993-1997.
BACKGROUND
Asthma morbidity has increased, posing a public health burden. Work-related asthma (WRA) accounts for a significant proportion of adult asthma that causes serious personal and economic consequences.


METHODS
Cases were identified using physician reports and hospital discharge data, as part of four state-based surveillance systems. We used structured interviews to confirm cases and identify occupations and exposures associated with WRA.


RESULTS
Health care workers (HCWs) accounted for 16% (n = 305) of the 1,879 confirmed WRA cases, but only 8% of the states' workforce. Cases primarily were employed in hospitals and were nurses. The most commonly reported exposures were cleaning products, latex, and poor air quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care workers are at risk for work-related asthma. Health care providers need to recognize this risk of WRA, as early diagnosis will decrease the morbidity associated with WRA. Careful product purchasing and facility maintenance by health care institutions will decrease the risk.
Pechter
Elise
E
Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, USA. Elise.Pechter@state.ma.us
Davis
Letitia K
LK
Tumpowsky
Catharine
C
Flattery
Jennifer
J
Harrison
Robert
R
Reinisch
Florence
F
Reilly
Mary Jo
MJ
Rosenman
Kenneth D
KD
Schill
Donald P
DP
Valiante
David
D
Filios
Margaret
M
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D005976:Glutaral / Q000009:adverse effects; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003902:Detergents; D007840:Latex; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005976:Glutaral