The kind of work you do, and perhaps have done all your life, may have a bearing on your current state of health.
You may face exposure to poor air quality time and time again. Have you developed asthma symptoms as a result?
Work environments
You may be an office worker or a teacher. You may have worked at the same kind of job for many years and during that time, have been exposed to poor indoor air quality, or IAQ. People who work in offices or schools often complain of headaches, fatigue or concentration issues. The eyes or nose may become irritated, the throat may feel raw and there may be trouble breathing properly. There are links between these problems and the contaminants in circulating indoor air. Furthermore, if the inside air is damp, some people develop lung diseases such as asthma.
OSHA speaks out
While OSHA does not have IAQ standards specifically, it does have standards about air contaminants that could cause IAQ issues for workers. Employees often complain about temperature fluctuation or humidity in the air. Proper ventilation and system maintenance can go a long way toward resolving air quality problems. In the meantime, people may develop work-related asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
Other areas of concern
Asthma sufferers do not necessarily have to work inside buildings. Workers in construction, chemical plants, gas stations and airports may also develop lung problems from a variety of contaminants, including cleaning supplies, pesticides, mold or construction dust. Over time, chemicals may release in the form of a gas, which can also lead to poor IAQ.
Workers’ compensation eligibility
If you have developed asthma because of the kind of work you do and the environment in which you perform your job, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Keep in mind that your claim does not have to link to a single incident. Your work-related asthma is an occupational disease that developed over time.