Occupational asthma due to hexachlorophene

Low molecular weight chemicals may induce occupational asthma by acting as haptens. Sterilising agents of low molecular weight containing halogens have been reported to cause occupational asthma. Here the authors report a case of occupational asthma due to inhaled hexachlorophene (molecular weight 406.9), which is used in medical practice as a powder or solution for optical disinfection. In the patient they describe asthmatic symptoms were provoked by hexachlorophene powder and the asthmatic attacks were reproduced by inhalation challenge. To obtain further information about the pathogensis of the reaction they measured serum neutrophil chemotactic activity before and after challenge.