Table 3

Causative agents of irritant-induced asthma

Main groups of causative agentsAcute
N=30
Subacute
N=39
Total
N=69 (%)
Acid aerosols or fumes6
Sulfuric acid
Hydrofluoric acid
Nitric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid and sulfur dioxide
7
Sulfuric acid* and ammonium fluoride
Sulfuric acid* and hydrogen sulfide
Sulfuric acid*, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide
Hydrochloric acid
Nitric acid
13 (19)
Base aerosols or fumes5
Ammonia
Sodium hydroxide
Black lye
4
Ammonia
Sodium hydroxide
Alkaline epoxy polyamine hardener and cleaning agent
9 (13)
Mixtures of acid and base aerosols or fumes3
Ammonia, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid
Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, nitric acid
3 (4)
Inorganic gases3
Chlorine dioxide
3
Chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide and hydrogen sulfide
Sulfur dioxide
6 (9)
Oxidising agents1
Ozone
1
Hydrogen peroxide
2 (3)
Other chemicals5
Formaldehyde†
Glutaraldehyde†
Hexamethylene diisocyanate†
Naphthalene compounds
Pyrethrin
1
Hexamethylene diisocyanate†
6 (9)
Mixtures6
Bitumen, solvents and their thermal degradation products
Sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite
Combustion gas
Thermal degradation of polyester paint
Sulfuric acid, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide gas
Nitric oxides, diesel exhaust, mixture of oil and water
12
Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide
Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and endotoxins
Hydrogen sulfide, sulfur compounds, sodium hydroxide, chlorine dioxide
Calcium oxide and hydrogen sulfide
Rubber chemicals and their thermal degradation products
Solvents and mine dust
Formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde
Thermal degradation of polyvinyl chloride-polyurethane fabrics
Trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile
18 (26)
Dusts4
Calcium oxide
Cement
4
Ash
Calcium oxide and alkaline dusts
Cement
Sulfuric acid-containing titanium oxide powder
8 (12)
Endotoxins044 (6)
  • *Main causative agent.

  • †Sensitiser-induced occupational asthma was considered to be unlikely based on the results of specific inhalation test or the anamnesis.