Occupational asthma caused by formalin in a hospital milieu. Apropos of 3 cases

Three cases of formalin-induced occupational asthma observed in 2 hospital nurses and 1 hospital medical secretary are reported. The characteristics of this type of occupational asthma which seems to be infrequent, probably because it is often undiagnosed, are described. The prognosis is often severe, even after discontinuation of exposure to the risk. These patients are eligible to disability pensions as compensation for occupational disease.