When are symptoms of occupational asthma most likely to develop?
The latent interval between first exposure and the onset of recognisable symptoms can vary depending on the agent, the management of exposure and biological variability. Whilst the latent interval can extend to many years (Bar-Sela 1984, Cortona 2001, Kim 1999, Munoz 2003), the risk of occupational asthma appears to be highest soon after first exposure to laboratory animal allergens (Agrup 1986, Cullinan 1999, Gautrin 2001a, Gautrin 2001b, Krakowiak 1997, Platts-Mills 1987), isocyanates (Venables 1985b), platinum salts (Calverley 1995, Niezborala 1996, Venables 1989a and azodicarbonamide (Slovak 1981).
