[Bronchial asthma of allergic or irritative origin as an occupational disease (author's transl)]

The development or exacerbation of an asthmatic condition is more often than is commonly realized attributable to the inhalation during work of substances which have either antigenic properties or induce physico-chemical damage to the mucous membranes. The following substances were found to play a causal role in the development of asthma in exposed persons: penicillin dust, dust inhaled during the threshing of grain, persulfate, formalin, inorganic cooling agents. Procedures to ascertain the aetiology of these occupation-induced obstructive bronchial disease are reviewed. The inhalation challenge test, exposure tests at the place of work and removal of the affected person from contact with the suspected antigen are discussed in respect of their diagnostic value.