For people living with asthma, avoiding triggers at work can be a real challenge. You don’t have much control over building construction, central air, or the chemicals used in office supplies — all of which can have a big impact on indoor air quality. But you can influence some office policies that affect your work environment.

Take the time to learn about the triggers you may encounter at the office and see how you can avoid them or even prevent them from entering the workplace. It’s the first step toward making your office a healthier place to breathe 40 hours a week.

How can I pinpoint my office triggers?

When figuring out what triggers your allergy symptoms, time is on your side. Most reactions occur soon after you’ve come in contact with a trigger, so it helps to note when your symptoms start. Keep a diary or log that tracks your symptoms, noting what you were doing when they struck. This can help you find a possible link between your itchy, watery eyes and the toner cartridge you just replaced in the copier. If you have asthma, also consider monitoring your peak flow throughout the workday.

Here’s a list of common office triggers and where you might find them, according to the American Lung Association:

• Molds and fungi (in air ducts, plants, and books)
• Dust and dust mites (on window blinds, in storage rooms, and in carpeting and upholstery)
• Copier and printer toners and fumes (from printers and copy machines)
• Perfumes and colognes (worn by coworkers)
• Cigarette smoke (from nearby designated smoking areas or traveling through vents from other parts of the building)
• Cockroaches and the pesticides used to eliminate them (closets and storage rooms)
• Strong chemicals (in utility rooms)

Based on your symptom diary, create a list of your potential allergens and irritants. Your doctor can then perform a skin test or challenge (inhalation) test to identify your triggers.

How can I avoid my triggers?

With some creativity and a little support from your boss and coworkers, you can usually find a way to limit your exposure to office triggers. For example:

• Wear a mask when cleaning the storage room.
• When you’re making copies or monitoring a print job, open the window or use a small fan to increase ventilation in the area.
• Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to keep on or near your desk.
• Manage stress at the office by taking short breaks and planning ahead to meet your goals. And stay prepared for the unexpected - even the most diligent planners can get blindsided by a last-minute work emergency. Stress is a common trigger that’s often overlooked.

Your coworkers can also have an impact on office air quality. For instance, the perfume that smells wonderful to one person may provoke an unwelcome response — sneezing, coughing, and general misery — in another. Talk to coworkers about your asthma and allergies. Bring educational materials from your doctor’s office to help make your point. And if an officemate’s new fragrance makes you wheeze, don’t hide your symptoms. Your coworker may not realize the scent is bothering you. Once he or she finds out, you can work together to solve the problem.

Be sure to keep your supervisor informed, too. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that employers take “reasonable measures” to accommodate workers with special health concerns. You have nothing to lose and much to gain by asking:

1. Can the copier be properly vented?
2. Can air ducts be cleaned regularly?
3. Can window blinds be dusted weekly?
4. Can our workplace be designated a smoke-free zone?

Keep in mind that it’s in your employer’s best interests to provide a safe and comfortable work environment. The better you feel, the more productive you’ll be.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 8:48 am and is filed under Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.