[Work-related chronic respiratory diseases--current diagnosis].

Bronchial asthma, COPD and extrinsic allergic alveolitis are respiratory diseases that can be also acquired through occupational exposure. However, the definitive identification of an occupational disease is difficult because the symptoms do not exclusively appear in direct connection with noxious workplace substances but rather also appear in the leisure time. It is still important to make an early and clear correlation in order to establish preventive measures at the workplace if necessary.