AGENTS, OLD AND NEW, CAUSING OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

Abstract
To date, more than 250 agents capable of causing occupational asthma have been reported.4 5Substances that induce occupational asthma are classified as either high molecular weight allergens (> 5 kDa)—usually protein derived allergens—or as low molecular weight compounds. It has been hypothesised that low molecular weight chemicals could act as haptens and combine with a body protein to form a complete antigen.