RADS Questions and Answers

What is RADS?
The reactive airways dysfunction syndrome is a chronic asthma-like syndrome resulting from a single, acute exposure to a respiratory irritant.

What are the Symptoms of RADS?
Some of the symptoms of Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome include:

  • Acute extreme shortness of breath
  • tightness in the chest
  • wheezing
  • recurring breathing difficulty
  • coughing
  • asthma-like attacks

What Causes RADS?
Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome is a result of the development of an immune response to a variety of agents such as animal proteins and isocyanates (the raw materials that make up all polyurethane products). It has also been reported to develop after a single inhalation exposure to high levels of irritant gases, fumes or vapors, eliciting a nonimmunological response.

RADS has resulted from exposure at home and in the workplace to various chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and glacial acetic acid.

Chemicals / Agents Known to Cause RADS:

  • Ammonia
  • Bleaching Agents
  • Biocides
  • Chlorine
  • Cleaning Agents
  • Detergents
  • Disinfectants
  • Formaldehyde
    Glacial Acetic Acid
  • Hydrochloric Acid
  • Hydrogen Sulfide
  • Isocyanates
  • MDI
  • Perchlorethylene
  • Polyurethane
  • Resins / Fluoro Resins
  • Sealers
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Sulfuric Acid
  • Waterproofing agents

Some jobs that may involve exposure to these chemicals include:

  • Painting
  • Foam-blowing
  • Manufacture of polyurethane products, such as
    • Chemicals
    • Polyurethane foam
    • Insulation materials
    • Surface coatings
    • Car seats
    • Furniture
    • Foam mattresses
    • Under-carpet padding
    • Packaging materials
    • Shoes
    • fabrics
    • Polyurethane rubber
    • adhesives
  • Laminated jobs involving zinc exposure
  • Aluminum refining
  • Jobs in clinical settings with exposure to glutaraldehyde (disinfectant used for cold sterilization)
  • Cleaning/Housework/Janitorial
  • Clinician
  • Manufacture of polyurethane products or other chemicals
  • Industrial Spray Painting
  • Carpenter/Remodeling/Renovation
  • Railroad Recovery
  • Tile/Stone Work
  • Weatherproofing tents, shoes, clothing, furniture

What is the Diagnosis Criteria for RADS?

  1. A documented absence of previous respiratory complaints.
  2. The onset of symptoms should occur after a single specific exposure.
  3. The exposure should be to a gas, smoke, fume or vapor with irritant qualities that was present in very high concentrations.
  4. The onset of symptoms should occur within 24 hours of exposure and should persist for a minimum of 3 months.
  5. The symptoms should simulate asthma with cough, wheezing and dyspnea.
    Methacholine challenge should be positive
  6. Other types of pulmonary disease should be ruled out.