Nebulising metal salts in asthmatics

We are seeing a number of workers exposed (often indirectly) to the fumes generated when zinc coated steel (zintec) is welded in the manufacture of car bodies. Has anybody else seen this? We find they have a sputum neutrophilia rather than eosinophilia, and challenge testing with nebulised zinc chloride reproduces asthma (rather than metal fume fever). Has anybody tried nebulising metal salts in asthmatics wihout occupational exposure? How specific are the results?

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

I HAVE BEING POWDER SPRAY WELDING CAST IRON FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS THE FIRST 5 YEARS WITHOUT FUME EXTRACTION, THE BASE FOR THIS POWDER IS NICKEL.

2/20/2006