Research Article

Work-related asthma in the Educational Services industry: California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993–2000†

  1. Jacek M. Mazurek MD, MS1,*,
  2. Margaret Filios SM, RN1,
  3. Ruth Willis MS1,
  4. Kenneth D. Rosenman MD2,
  5. Mary Jo Reilly MS2,
  6. Katharine McGreevy PhD3,
  7. Donald P. Schill MS, CIH3,
  8. David Valiante MS, CIH3,
  9. Elise Pechter MPH, CIH4,
  10. Letitia Davis ScD4,
  11. Jennifer Flattery MPH5,
  12. Robert Harrison MD, MPH5

Article first published online: 21 NOV 2007

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20539

Issue

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Volume 51, Issue 1, pages 47–59, January 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mazurek, J. M., Filios, M., Willis, R., Rosenman, K. D., Reilly, M. J., McGreevy, K., Schill, D. P., Valiante, D., Pechter, E., Davis, L., Flattery, J. and Harrison, R. (2008), Work-related asthma in the Educational Services industry: California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993–2000. Am. J. Ind. Med., 51: 47–59. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20539

Author Information

  1. 1

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia

  2. 2

    Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

  3. 3

    New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Trenton, New Jersey

  4. 4

    Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

  5. 5

    California Department of Health Services, Oakland, California

*NIOSH, DRDS, Surveillance Branch, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Mailstop HG 900.2, Morgantown, WV 26505.

  1. †

    Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 DEC 2007
  2. Article first published online: 21 NOV 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 28 SEP 2007

Funded by

  • National Institute for Safety and Occupational Health. Grant Numbers: U60/CCU515856, U60-008338, U60/OH008490-02-S1, U060 OH008468-01

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Keywords:

  • occupational health;
  • asthma;
  • school;
  • teachers;
  • surveillance

Abstract

Objectives

To characterize work-related asthma (WRA) cases working in the educational services industry identified by state-based occupational disease surveillance systems.

Methods

We examined 2,995 WRA cases reported from 1993 to 2000 to four states: California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey.

Results

A total of 265 (9%) WRA cases were employed in the educational services industry; 69% of cases were classified as new-onset asthma and 31% as work-aggravated asthma. New-onset asthma cases were further classified as occupational asthma (61%) or as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (8%). The most frequently reported occupation was teachers and teachers' aides (54%). The most frequently reported agents were indoor air pollutants (28%), unspecified mold (16%), dusts (14%), and cleaning products (7%).

Conclusions

Asthma within the educational services industry is an occupational health problem. The health of school employees should also be considered when initiatives addressing asthma among schoolchildren are instituted. The identification, elimination, and/or control of respiratory hazards are important factors for the protection of staff and students alike. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:47–59, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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