Cooperation with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health to prevent irritant-induced asthma

Effective and preventive occupational health care cooperation

Since 2017, Mehiläinen's Kokkola occupational health team has been actively cooperating with its customer companies in the Kokkola Industrial Park. For example, it has been agreed that there will be occupational health negotiations arranged at an early stage after the start of occupational disease examinations and, at a later stage, once the examinations have been completed. Workplace surveys have shown that special attention has been paid to irritant chemicals. Preparedness at workplaces has also improved as knowledge about the issue has increased in recent years.

In October 2022, the representatives of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health visited Kokkola to learn about the working conditions and solutions found through cooperation in working environments with potential chemical exposure in the large industrial area.

Occupational health nurse Miia Pöppönen and responsible occupational health physician in charge Juha Lepistö from Mehiläinen's Kokkola occupational health team are participating in the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health’s project working group, which is preparing guidelines for occupational health care providers for the detection and prevention of irritant-induced asthma.

The aim of the project is to ensure that no one will have to lose their health as a result of this preventable disease in the future. The purpose is to increase awareness of high-risk substances and their safe handling, and to create guidelines for workplaces in case of an emergency. It is also important to understand that, in order to prevent irritant-induced asthma, the concentrations known to be harmful (HTP values) of irritant chemicals in the workplace should not be exceeded, even momentarily, and that working conditions should be arranged so that excessive exposure can be avoided. Learn moreExternal link

What is irritant-induced asthma?

Sudden-onset irritant-induced asthma (formerly known as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS)) is caused by a single exposure to a high concentration of an irritant. Exposure is often accidental, for example, in the event of a process failure, chemical accident or, exceptionally, when exposed to chemicals, for example, during maintenance and cleaning work.

Not-so-sudden irritant-induced asthma is caused by more than one exposure to a substance that is highly irritable to the respiratory tract. The exposure level may be lower than in sudden-onset irritant-induced asthma, but concentrations are still close to or above the concentrations known to be harmful of the substance, based on expert judgement or measurements. Exposure is longer and repeated exposure peaks may occur at work. Exposure may be related to inadequate working conditions in normal work or to repeated abnormal situations.