Occupational asthma may affect workers in the fishing and fish processing industries who do not receive adequate training or protective equipment from their employers.
There are two significant risks to workers in these industries: fish and shellfish. This is because of allergenic proteins found in the two species. These allergenic proteins include the following:
- Parvalbumin (in fish)
- Tropomyosin (in shellfish)
- Other types of IgE-binding proteins
- Anisakis
Although research into the links between asthma and seafood allergies is at a relatively early stage, fishing and fish processing are slowly becoming recognised as high-risk occupations, particularly if there is a high level of airborne exposure.
If you work in Scotland's extensive fish and fish processing industry and have been diagnosed with asthma, it is possible that the condition may have developed as a result of your working conditions. Thompsons Solicitors can help you ascertain your rights and determine whether you might be entitled to compensation. Contact us today for more information.
Occupational Asthma
One important epidemiological study (Jeebhay MF, Cartier A. Seafood workers and respiratory disease – an update. Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2010) suggests that the prevalence of occupational asthma is at between 2 and 36%.
The variations in this finding are thought to be due to the various type of exposure. For example, steam, organic dust, air blowing and water jet exposure.
However, one thing is constant: occupational asthma in the fishing and fish processing industries is more commonly associated with shellfish (4–36%) than with other types of fish (2–8%).
Furthermore, the British Medical Journal reports that aerosolisation of seafood and cooking fluid in the fish processing industry are the factors most likely to result in sensitisation through inhalation. It is thought that in some cases, even skin contact may result in sensitization.
Thompsons' Occupational Asthma Claim Lawyers
If you have been diagnosed with occupational asthma or lung disease in the last three years and believe that exposure to fish or shellfish in your workplace may have caused or contributed to your condition, you should consider your possible right to compensation.
Thompsons' specialist occupational asthma claim lawyers can help you ascertain your possible rights and options so that you can decide how to proceed – perhaps on a No Win, No Fee basis.
For more information about how we may be able to help you make an occupational asthma claim, contact us today by calling 0800 0891331.
