Occupational factors are responsible for a large percentage of cases of asthma in adults of working age. Any irritant generated at high concentrations can cause occupational asthma, and early diagnosis is critical because cure is still possible at this stage. This latest edition of Asthma in the Workplace reflects the rapid pace of discovery and research in workplace asthma that has taken place in recent years. This Fourth Edition retains the international flavor of prior editions, with contributions from editors and contributors from around the world. Several chapters commence with clinical histories and workplace scenarios relevant to the focus of the chapter, making it particularly germane for primary care providers to develop skills in early recognition of the disease. Topics discussed include: Definitions, historical background, epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and animal models Guidelines for assessing the worker and the workplace, and proposed guidelines for management, including compensation aspects Medicolegal aspects, prevention, and surveillance Detailed information about specific agents, including a variety of high- and low-molecular weight agents Other types of work-related asthma conditions, such as irritant-induced asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, and occupational rhinitis This new edition has been significantly restructured and places a greater emphasis on the clinical aspects of management and treatment. This heightened focus on practical considerations makes it a truly comprehensive, hands-on resource for practitioners and researchers in this fast-moving field.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Definition and classification of asthma in the workplace; I. Leonard Bernstein, David I. Bernstein, Moira Chan-Yeung, Jean-Luc Malo Historical aspects; Jack Pepys, I. Leonard Bernstein, Jean-Luc Malo Disease occurrence and risk factors; Maritta S. Jaakkola, Denyse Gautrin, Jean-Luc Malo Mechanisms, genetics, and pathophysiology; Piero Maestrelli, Berran Yucesoy, Hae-Sim Park, Adam Wisnewski Animal models; Victor J. Johnson, Vanessa De Vooght, Jeroen A.J. Vanoirbeek Assessment Assessment of the worker; André Cartier, Nathalie Bourdeau, Pierre Phénix, Kenneth D. Rosenman Assessment of the workplace; Dick Heederik, Lygia Budnik, Brigitte Roberge, Nicole Goyer Immunological and inflammatory assessments; Catherine Lemiere, David I. Bernstein, Leslie C. Grammer, Meinir Jones, Hae-Sim Park Functional assessment; Olivier Vandenplas, P. Sherwood Burge, Gianna Moscato, Jean-Luc Malo Management Management of the worker; André Cartier, Paul K. Henneberger, Stuart M. Brooks Protecting the worker and modifying the work environment; Dick Heederik, Remko Houba, Gary M. Liss, Melissa Millerick-May Prevention and surveillance; Gary M. Liss, Susan M. Tarlo, Manon Labrecque, Jean-Luc Malo Impairment and disability evaluations: I. Psychosocial, economic, and medicolegal aspects; Paul D. Blanc, Philip Harber, Kim L. Lavoie, Olivier Vandenplas Impairment and disability evaluation: II. Various legislations; Mohamed F. Jeebhay, Philip Harber, Xaver Baur, Marcos Ribeiro, Hae-Sim Park, Jean-Luc Malo Specific Agents Causing Immunological Occupational Asthma High- and low-molecular weight agents; Moira Chan-Yeung, Jean-Luc Malo, David I. Bernstein Enzymes; Jonathan A. Bernstein, Katherine Sarlo, Carlos Rodriguez, Remko Houba Occupational asthma in the baking industry; Paul Cullinan, Torben Sigsgaard, Rolf Merget Asthma and allergy to animals; Karin A. Pacheco, Denyse Gautrin, Andreas L. Lopata, Mohamed F. Jeebhay Polyisocyanates and their prepolymers; Adam V. Wisnewski, Carrie A. Redlich, Cristina E. Mapp, David I. Bernstein Western red cedar and other wood dusts; Moira Chan-Yeung, Jean-Luc Malo, Torben Sigsgaard Metals; Rolf Merget, Denyse Gautrin Specific Disease Entities and Variants Irritant-induced asthma and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome; Stuart M. Brooks, Jean-Luc Malo, Denyse Gautrin Asthma exacerbated at work; Paul K. Henneberger, Gregory R. Wagner, Catherine Lemière Eosinophilic bronchitis; Santiago Quirce, Catherine Lemière, Joaquín Sastre Occupational rhinitis; Gianna Moscato, Mark S. Dykewicz, Martin Desrosiers, Roberto Castano Airway diseases due to organic dust exposure; Moira Chan-Yeung, I. Leonard Bernstein, Susanna Von Essen, Jill A. Poole Chronic obstructive airway disease due to occupational exposure; Paul D. Blanc, Eva Hnizdo, Kathleen Kreiss, Kjell Toren Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and organic dust toxic syndrome; Yvon Cormier, Yves Lacasse Building-related illnesses and mold-related conditions; Dan Norbäck, J. David Miller Occupational urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis; D. Linn Holness, Victoria H. Arrandale, C.G. Toby Mathias Index