Asthma is a condition in which a person's airways become constricted to the point where air is unable to pass through easily. This causes a reduction in the amount of air they can take in, which in turn can lead to a number of other problems. Occupational asthma is brought on by environmental conditions in a person's occupation or workplace.

Some of the most common asthma triggers found in the workplace include vapors, fumes, dust and mists. Exposure to these things can cause asthma-like symptoms, which can develop into full-blown asthma if left untreated - even if the person has never had any sort of asthma problem in the past.

For those who already suffer from asthma, workplace conditions can make the problem much more severe and lead to further complications in the long term.

There are steps that can be taken to minimize or avoid occupational asthma entirely. Proper ventilation is one of the most important factors. If the exposure to the potential triggers can be minimized - or avoided altogether - the problem can be avoided in the first place.

Proper protective equipment is also important. This can include breathing equipment and other protective clothing which can help to avoid contact with the triggers, again helping to avoid the problem in the first place.

In most cases this equipment should be supplied by the employer, but if they don't provide adequate equipment it is worth the money you might spend to buy it yourself, considering the alternative.

Because occupational asthma can develop over a period of time, it is often too late to avoid it once the symptoms appear. Being proactive about protecting oneself against the potential allergens and triggers in the workplace, while perhaps requiring a bit more effort, will be well worth the additional work in the long run.