Was the onset of symptoms related to one "memorable" event in which there was exposure to a gas, fume, or dust? |
Were there repeated gas, fume, or dust exposures of lesser intensities that still forced the subject to leave the premises? |
Is there any ongoing exposure? |
What was the nature of the substance? Has it been previously described as causing RADS (eg, acetic acid, ammonia, chlorine, isocyanates, mustard gas, fire/smoke)? Absence on a list of agents causing RADS does not exclude the diagnosis. |
Was the concentration of the offending agent likely to be above accepted levels? |
Were other workers or persons in the vicinity also affected? |
Were there ocular or nasal symptoms? How long after the exposure(s) did they develop? |
Describe the timing sequence of onset and diminution of symptoms: eg, immediate cough, shortness of breath after 30 min, wheezing after 1 hour, etc. |
Was there a visit to an emergency room or a physician's office? |
Were lung function tests, blood gases, or chest radiography performed soon after the event? |
Was treatment initiated? What medications were used? What were the dose and duration? |
Were there subsequent assessments, including records of symptoms, chest auscultation (wheezing), spirometry, bronchial responsiveness, and allergy skin tests? |
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