Respiratory health in the workplace -
Share your complete medical and job-related history. Your healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam and may recommend lung function tests like spirometry , chest x-ray, or CT scan. What are the different types of occupational lung disease?
Exposure to environmental and occupational lung irritants may put you at risk of developing chronic lung disease, including: Silicosis is caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral found in sand, quartz, and many other types of rock. Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining.
Coccidioidomycosis or Valley fever is an infection caused by breathing in the spores of the fungus Coccidioides found in the soil. Valley fever mainly affects workers exposed to dust storms or areas where contaminated soil is being disturbed, in jobs like construction or farming.
Hypersensitive pneumonitis is caused when you breathe in a specific substance allergen that triggers an allergic reaction in your body. Histoplasmosis is caused by breathing fungal spores from soil that has been contaminated by bird or bat droppings.
Some occupations that may expose workers to spores are farmers, pest control workers, poultry keepers, construction workers and landscapers. Asbestosis is a naturally occurring mineral used as an insulation material and as a fire retardant.
The main group at risk for asbestosis is people who worked in mining, milling, manufacturing, installation, or removal of asbestos products before the late s. Coal workers pneumoconiosis , commonly known as black lung disease, occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Continued exposure to coal dust causes scarring in the lungs.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs and less commonly the lining of the abdomen. Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Occupations such as mining or milling, electricians, plumbers, pipe-fitters, insulators, or even remodelers of older homes still have a high risk of exposure.
Work-related asthma accounts for 15 percent to 23 percent of new adult asthma cases in the United States. According to one study, men working in forestry and with metals and women in the service industries waitresses, cleaners, and dental workers have the highest risk for occupational asthma.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Tobacco smoke is a leading cause of COPD, however secondhand smoke and workplace exposure to dust, fumes, gases, vapors also increase the risk of COPD. Occupations or industries that have a higher prevalence of COPD include mining, food related services, construction, transportation or healthcare support.
How can I reduce my risk? There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of lung disease. Work with your employer if you are still in the same position to ensure access to the appropriate protective equipment.
Make sure you are using it correctly and whenever it is indicated. Attend repeated safety trainings on how to minimize your exposure to harmful substances in the workplace.
Reduce your exposure to lung irritants outside of work. Don't smoke or vape and avoid secondhand smoke and aerosol whenever possible. Test your home for high levels of radon the second leading cause of lung cancer , and if it has high levels, be sure to mitigate it. Stay inside on poor air quality days whenever possible.
Discuss with your healthcare provider vaccines that protect against flu , pneumonia , COVID and other infectious respiratory illnesses. Resources Getting Ready for Your Next Office Visit CDC: Respiratory Health at Work OSHA: Respiratory Protection.
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Make a Donation. Visit the CDC COVID website for the most current information about COVID Find CDC workplace guidance and COVID information for:. Visit the CDC influenza website for information on flu. Keep your workplace healthy with the following actions:.
Tips for hosting a free on-site flu vaccination clinic for your employees. If hosting a flu vaccination clinic at your workplace is not possible, learn about other ways to encourage vaccination.
Improving building ventilation can reduce risk of exposure to respiratory viruses and reduce the spread of respiratory infections. This page has specific strategies to improve building ventilation and answers to frequently asked questions.
UVGI is the use of ultraviolet UV energy to kill viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms. This page has considerations for selecting, installing, using, and maintaining an Upper-Room UVGI system. Regularly cleaning surfaces helps prevent the spread of germs that can cause respiratory infections.
This guidance is for cleaning and disinfecting buildings in community settings such as offices, gyms, businesses, and community centers. Healthcare settings have different guidance. The Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network RESP-NET comprises three platforms that conduct population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations associated with COVID, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV among children and adults.
The National Emergency Department Visits for COVID, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus site provides a combined view of emergency department visit data for multiple respiratory conditions as tracked by the National Syndromic Surveillance Program NSSP.
The COVID Data Tracker provides hospital admissions, deaths, and emergency department visits data as primary surveillance metrics for COVID Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search. Español Other Languages. Respiratory Infections in the Workplace. Minus Related Pages. Find CDC workplace guidance and COVID information for: Healthcare Settings K Schools and Early Care and Education Programs Homeless Service Sites and Correctional and Detention Facilities Community Congregate Living Settings Commercial Aircraft Cabin Crew Maritime Vessels.
Keep your workplace healthy with the following actions: Prevent the spread of flu in the workplace 10 steps employers can take now, and during the flu season, to help protect the health of employees. Promote flu vaccination Tips for hosting a free on-site flu vaccination clinic for your employees.
Remind workers to stay home when sick What employers and employees should know about staying home when sick.
Find more workplace guidance and seasonal flu information for: Healthcare Settings Long Term Care Facilities Schools and Childcare Providers Commercial Aircraft Cabin Crew.
Ventilation and Engineering Controls Improving building ventilation can reduce risk of exposure to respiratory viruses and reduce the spread of respiratory infections.
Identifying Metabolism-boosting metabolism mitigating occupational health Satiety and long-term weight loss safety issues has Blackberry cultivation techniques in place for Satiety and long-term weight loss Redpiratory years, since the establishment of OSHA Occupational Safety and Workplacw Administration in the tue s. This agency was created by Congress to protect private and public employers and their workers. Regulations and protocols are still being modified to improve working conditions for employees, pointing to the authority and effectiveness of OSHA. A widespread occupational-related concern is respiratory health and safety. This protection has reduced the ongoing chemical, hazardous waste, and airborne pollutant impacts on the respiratory system.
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