World Asthma Day is an annual event organized to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day 2009 takes place on May 6th. In 2008 HSE had a number of activities happening in May, aimed at reducing occupational asthma and other work-related respiratory diseases.

Events

• Launch of new guidance - Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work: A Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (HSG 258 - ISBN 978 0 7176 6298 2)
• Launch of a new employer's leaflet - Clearing the Air: A Simple Guide to Buying and Using Local Exhaust Ventilation (INDG 408 - ISBN for priced packs 978 0 7176 6301 9).
• Launch of a new pocket card for employees - Time to Clear the Air! A Pocket Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (INDG 409 - ISBN for priced packs 978 0 7176 6300 2).
• Launch of a new Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) website.
• Direct mail for woodworkers to raise awareness on controlling airborne exposures to prevent occupational respiratory disease within the industry
• Updated woodworking website including video clips of an occupational asthma sufferer

Further Information from HSE

Find out more about occupational asthma:

• Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/index.htm

For further information about World Asthma Day:

• Visit http://www.asthma.org.uk

Find out more about other occupational respiratory diseases:

• COPD at http://www.hse.gov.uk/copd/index.htm
• See the asbestos website for more information on the ongoing asbestos "Hidden Killer" campaign and other activities.
• Download the "Time to clear the air" free leaflet [PDF 547KB], which offers advice on how to protect your lungs when using cut-off saws.