At a glance
The following states were funded by NIOSH during the 2021–2026 State-Based Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program. This funding cycle is for case-based work-related asthma (WRA) surveillance.
WRA states
The ascertainment source for work-related asthma cases varies by state. Massachusetts, Michigan, California, and Washington all ascertain WRA cases from workers' compensation data.
Washington identifies cases through their state Workers' Compensation system. Employers in Washington are required to obtain State Fund insurance unless they are able to self-insure. Other data sources used to identify cases include reports from:
- Healthcare professionals
- Hospital discharge data
- Emergency room data
- Poison Control data in Michigan
State surveillance includes demographic, work-history, and medical information for case confirmation, classification, and description. This is done through a combination of:
- Data sources
- Medical records review
- Follow-up interview with reported cases or next of kin (when possible)
State surveillance guidelines
Find guidelines for identifying and reporting cases on the WRA State Reporting Guidelines page.
Asthmagen resources
An exposure coding scheme with agents classified as "known asthma inducers." The scheme facilitates consistency in agent coding across states. Putative causes of WRA for each case are coded using this scheme.
A searchable chemistry database and a key chemical reaction resource.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) include information on chemical, environmental, and health hazards. Employees can request an SDS from their employers.
NIOSHTIC-2 searches
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database. It contains safety and health publications supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
Search results for WRA – Search Terms:
- Work-related asthma
- Occupational asthma
- Exacerbated asthma
- Aggravated asthma
- Irritant-induced asthma