[Occupational lung diseases caused by exposure to chrysotile asbestos dust and the preventive measures].

To reveal major principles in system of occupational lung diseases prevention among workers engaged into extraction and usage of chrysotile asbestos, the authors specified main criteria for diagnosis of asbestos-related pulmonary diseases and signs of exposure to chrysotile dust, with identification of risk groups for occupational diseases development. The authors formulated main principles of prevention and rehabilitation for workers with asbestos-related pulmonary diseases. Special attention was paid to harmonization of all medical and technical measures aimed at prevention and liquidation of occupational asbestos-related diseases.

[Occupational therapy: achievements and problems].

Occupational therapy is topical and attracts attention of various medical specialists, for being on junction between clinical, hygienic, social and economical sciences. The authors present major directions of research and practical work of the Institute from its foundation till nowadays.

[X-ray imaging in occupational therapy].

X-ray imaging of occupational diseases remains topical so far. Contemporary methods of X-ray imaging of occupational broncho-pulmonary diseases, locomotory disorders and spinal diseases helped to emphasize importance of various X-ray methods combining various approaches in obtaining new X-ray images for better quality of diagnostic and therapeutic measures in occupational therapy. X-ray methods not only widen diagnostic potentialities in occupational therapy, but also can be major methods of in-vivo diagnosis of some occupational diseases.

[Pneumoconioses in contemporary industry].

The article deals with features of development and formation of various pneumoconioses diagnosed after 1996: less benign course, early complaints, marked functional and X-ray changes in lungs, early complications--these result mainly from lower content of chemicals with fibrogenous effect in industrial aerosol and presence of allergic, cytotoxic and irritating agents. That helped to formulate a concept of contemporary pneumoconiosis caused by complex industrial aerosol over last 10-15 years.

[Pathomorphosis of contemporary forms of occupational diseases].

Studies on pathogenetic mechanisms of development, formation and course of occupational diseases revealed pathomorphosis of major specification forms (diseases of bronchopulmonary system, skin, nervous system, locomotory apparatus). Developing pathomorphosis of occupational and occupationally mediated diseases is caused by changed work conditions, lower acting concentrations and levels of occupational factors, influence of harmful ecologic factors, metabolic features, immune state, individual sensitivity to occupational and environmental factors.

[Bronchial and pulmonary diseases among workers of contemporary asbestos technical production].

The article represents occurrence of bronchial and pulmonary diseases among workers of asbestos technical enterprises, related to levels of exposure to chrysotile asbestos in various occupational groups. The author revealed peculiarities of asbestos-induced bronchial and pulmonary diseases caused by chrysotile-containing dust.

[Occupational bronchitis caused by aerosol fibers of chrysotile asbestos].

The article represents clinical features, course types and outcomings of occupational bronchitis caused by fibers of chysotile asbestos aerosol. Authors cover clinical, functional, X-ray and hygienic aspects of occupational bronchitis due to contact with dust containing chrysotile and varying in contents.