Guidelines for bronchoprovocation on the investigation of occupational asthma: Report of the Subcommittee on Bronchoprovocation for Occupational Asthma

Asthma can be induced or exacerbated at work by several means. Four work-related disorders, characterized by airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness, have been described. The Committee has decided to exclude discussion of other causes of asthmatic exacerbations at work, which does not mean that these conditions ar not important. It may also, as discussed in other sections of this report, be quite difficult to distinguish an irritant effect from a specific bronchospastic response. A preexisting history of asthma before exposure to the offending agent does not preclude the diagnosis of occupational asthma.