What causes occupational asthma?

Half of all cases of occupational asthma are caused by the following substances:

• Isocyanates (chemicals found in eg 2-pack spray paints).
• Flour dust.
• Grain dust.
• Cutting oils and coolants.
• Glutaraldehyde (a disinfectant mainly used in the healthcare sector).
• Wood dust.
• Natural rubber latex.
• Solder/colophony (colophony, also called rosin, is used in some types of solder flux).
• Laboratory animals.
• Resins and glues.

The Health and Safety Executive has a list of substances that can cause asthma.