Table 1. Sensitising agents causing occupational asthma as listed under Schedule 3 of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA)
  1. Isocyanates
  2. Metals: platinum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium or chromium salts
  3. Hardening agents, including epoxy resins
  4. Acrylic acids or derived acrylates
  5. Soldering or welding fumes
  6. Substances from animals or insects
  7. Fungi or spores
  8. Proteolytic enzymes
  9. Organic dust *(eg. flour, grain, wood dust)
  10. Vapours or fumes of formaldehyde, anhydrides, amines or diamines
(*) inserted for purposes of clarification
Note: Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) typically follows inhalation of a high concentration of an irritant vapour or gas (eg. chlorine, ammonia, acetic acid, sulphur dioxide), often resulting from an accidental emission in the workplace. This should be considered as a type of asthma caused by a "workplace accident" since these substances do not appear on Schedule 3 of COIDA.

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