Occupational asthmagens.
Occupational asthma is caused by exposure to a workplace irritant. It is one of the few subtypes of asthma where a cure can be achieved by removing the cause, or the individual, from the workplace. The agent implicated is frequently obvious to the investigating clinician, although at times it may remain elusive. This review will discuss the definition of occupational asthma and asthmagens, the working environments under which they are commonly found, and what should be done on discovery of an occupational asthmagen.
Currie
Graeme P
GP
Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, Scotland, UK.
Ayres
Jon G
JG