Table 3.
Frequency of severe exacerbation by different occupational exposures as assessed using the N-JEM for the 771 jobs worked by 557 adults with asthma
| Occupational exposure assessed by the N-JEM | All n/N (%) |
Men n/N (%) |
Women n/N (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any exposure to asthma-related agents (HMW+LMW+IRR+PEAKS)* | 79/227 (35) | 27/87 (31) | 52/140 (37) |
| HMW agents | 23/77 (30) | 3/15 (20) | 20/62 (32) |
| Animal antigens, mixed agricultural agents (animals) | 1/4 (25) | 0 | 1/4 (25) |
| Flour and plant antigens, mixed agricultural agents (not animals) | 1/9 (11) | 0/6 (0) | 1/3 (33) |
| Mite and insect antigens, enzymes, molds, bioaerosols | 2/9 (22) | 1/7 (14) | 1/2 (50) |
| Latex | 20/56 (36) | 2/3 (67) | 18/53 (34) |
| Pharmaceutical products | 5/16 (31) | 0 | 5/16 (31) |
| LMW agents | 11/27 (41) | 6/16 (38) | 5/11 (45) |
| Highly reactive agents, acrylates | 2/9 (22) | 2/5 (40) | 0/4 (0) |
| Highly reactive agents, epoxy | 4/10 (40) | 4/8 (50) | 0/2 (0) |
| Other highly reactive agents, such as amines, aldehydes, acids, anhydrides, chromates, curing agents, reactive gases and dyes | 5/10 (50) | 1/4 (25) | 4/6 (67) |
| Highly reactive chemicals, isocyanates | 6/12 (50) | 5/10 (50) | 1/2 (50) |
| IRR agents | 55/151 (36) | 25/78 (32) | 30/73 (41) |
| Cleaning agents | 2/12 (17) | 0/6 (0) | 2/6 (33) |
| Organic dust, textile industry | 0/1 (0) | 0/1 (0) | 0 |
| Organic dust, wood or paper | 3/16 (19) | 3/14 (21) | 0/2 (0) |
| Inorganic dusts and fumes, mining and building construction workers, and others exposed to inorganic dusts | 11/21 (52) | 9/19 (47) | 2/2 (100) |
| Metalworking fluids | 5/12 (42) | 4/11 (36) | 1/1 (100) |
| Combustion particles/fumes: vehicle/motor exhaust | 15/47 (32) | 7/25 (28) | 8/22 (36) |
| High probability of exposure to ETS | 30/63 (48) | 10/20 (50 | 20/43 (47) |
| PEAKS | 3/6 (50) | 2/5 (40) | 1/1 (100) |
| Uncertain or low exposure* | 9/31 (29) | 2/5 (40) | 7/26 (27) |
| Unexposed | 77/303 (25) | 11/90 (12) | 66/213 (31) |
N-JEM = asthma-specific job-exposure matrix; HMW = high molecular weight; LMW = low molecular weight; IRR = irritant; PEAKS = accidental peak exposures to irritants; ETS = environmental tobacco smoke.