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Do certain professions put people at greater risk for developing asthma?

Jettie Lightowler

Have you ever wondered if your job could be giving you asthma? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but certain professions do put people at greater risk for developing asthma. Don't worry though, we're going to dive into why and what you can do to protect yourself.

First of all, let's talk about why some jobs are more likely to cause asthma. It all comes down to the types of particles and chemicals people are exposed to on the job. For example, people who work in the agriculture industry and are exposed to grain dust, pollen, and pesticides are at a higher risk for developing asthma. Similarly, if you work in construction and are exposed to dust, wood, and chemicals you are also at a higher risk. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, construction workers have a 15% higher risk of developing asthma compared to people in other professions.

But it's not just those industries that are at risk. Healthcare workers who are exposed to cleaning chemicals, food industry workers who deal with flour dust, and hairdressers who work with hair products all have a higher risk of developing asthma. Even office workers aren't immune - poor indoor air quality due to mold and other allergens can also trigger asthma symptoms.

Now that we know which jobs are at risk, what can we do about it? Here are some tips to help protect yourself:

1. Wear protective gear - This can include gloves, masks, and goggles to help prevent particles from getting into your lungs.

2. Improve ventilation - Make sure your workplace has proper ventilation to help remove any harmful particles from the air.

3. Take breaks - Stepping away from the job for a few minutes each hour can help reduce exposure to particles.

4. Keep your workspace clean - Regularly cleaning your workspace can help reduce the amount of particles and allergens in the air.

5. Know your triggers - Pay attention to what triggers your asthma at work and do your best to avoid those triggers.

So there you have it, some jobs do put people at a greater risk for developing asthma but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. So the next time someone asks you if your job is giving you asthma, you can say "not today, germs!".