From Kathleen MacNaughton, R.N.,
Your Guide to Asthma.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Airborne asthma triggers include a class of triggers known as irritants. Some types of these irritants are inhaled into the airways as dust or powder, rather than as a gas.

When these triggers are inhaled, your already irritated airways tend to become even more irritated and inflamed, resulting in an increase in asthma symptoms.

Types of Dust/Powder Airborne Asthma Triggers

Some of these irritants might be encountered in everyday life, but more commonly they are an occupational hazard. Examples include:

• Talcum powder (in gloves used by healthcare workers)
• Coal dust (coal mine workers)
• Chalk dust (teachers)
• Sawdust (lumber yard workers)

Of course, you should strive to avoid contact with irritants as much as possible for optimal asthma control.

_{Source: AAAAI, "Tips to remember: asthma triggers and management." American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 01 January 2006. AAAAI. 29 Oct 2007 <http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmatriggersandmgmt.stm>}