ABSTRACT
Workers employed in chemical factories are chronically exposed to harmful substances present in the air of the occupational environment. The aim of this paper was to find out whether this situation produces adverse effects on the respiratory system despite the observance of admissible concentrations of toxic substances in the air. Spirometric values such as FVC1 and FEV1%FVC were measured in 647 workers. It was found that workers in some departments (power station and polystyrene) showed restrictive and obturative disturbances of ventilation. In other departments workers exhibited less expressed respiratory disorders. Adverse effect of smoking and long period of employment on the respiratory system of workers was also revealed. These results indicate that apart from substances present in the occupational environment there are other factors which affect as well the respiratory system of persons employed in the chemical industry.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Occupational/adverse effects , Chemical Industry , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Exposure , Respiration Disorders/etiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Respiration Disorders/diagnosis , Respiratory Function Tests , Smoking/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The results of the studies of energetic expenditure at 63 different workstations in copper mill were presented. 212 determinations of energetic expenditure were performed with direct colorimetry. 11% of the workstations exhibited a high energetic expenditure and hazardous working environment conditions. The results imply the necessity to modernize the mill and improve the preventive activities within industrial health service.
