| 1. Absence of pre-existing respiratory    disorder, asthma symptomatology or a history of asthma in remission and    exclusion of conditions that can simulate asthma | 
      
        | 2. Onset of asthma after a single    exposure or accident. | 
      
        | 3. Exposure is to an irritant vapor,    gas, fumes or smoke in very high concentrations. | 
      
        | 4. Onset of asthma occurs within minutes    to hours and always less than 24 hours after the exposure. | 
      
        | 5. Finding of a positive methacholine    challenge test (<8 mg/ml) following the exposure. | 
      
        | 6. Possible airflow obstruction on pulmonary    function testing. | 
      
        | 7. Another pulmonary disorder to explain    the symptoms and findings is excluded |