title: [Occupational asthma].
abstract: Occupational asthma is an important disorder, both for the affected individual and for society. The diagnosis of this condition is not easy and it, therefore, often happens that the occupational origin of asthma is overlooked by physicians. In most instances occupational asthma is due to immunological sensitization to an agent present in the workplace. The numerous possible causes of occupational asthma can be classified in high molecular weight compounds of biologic origin and low molecular weight chemicals. Occupational asthma can also follow from airway irritation, either after an acute inhalational injury, or after chronic or repeated peak exposures to irritants. From a medicolegal point of view, occupational asthma presents problems with regard to establishing a causal relationship between work and asthma and in relation to the generally inadequate compensation of victims. To prevent occupational asthma the best policy is to avoid and minimize exposure to sensitizers at work. Occupational asthma offers interesting models for the study of asthma in general.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Pneumologie (Eenheid voor Longtoxicologie) Pneumologie en Arbeids- & Verzekeringsgeneeskunde KULeuven.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nemery
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control