[Excerpt] Occupational asthma is asthma due to work exposures. It can be caused by a specific workplace agent with a specific immune system response – the agent is called a sensitizer. It has been recommended that whenever an adult experiences new-onset asthma, occupational asthma should be suspected. The respiratory symptoms of occupational asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough, and sputum production. While these are similar to asthma that is not work-related, these symptoms occur due to a work-related exposure.