Work Related Bronchitis
A. Mándi
National Institute of Occupational Health, Budapest, Hungary
CEJOEM 1997, Vol.3. No.4.:331
In Hungary, the chronic bronchitis even of dust exposed persons cannot
be acknowledged as an occupational disease. For solving this problem, epidemiologic
studies considering the following relationships are needed:
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Chronic bronchitis even without pneumoconiosis is more frequent in persons
exposed to fibrogen dust for 15–20 years. It is worth considering if in
case of bronchitic complaints and obstructive pulmonary functions their
disease cannot be regarded as an occupational disease.
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There are different experiences with the chronic effects of inhaled irritants
on the airways. Cases of chronic obstructive lung disease of welders, rubber
workers, fire-fighters were investigated in different countries and the
chronic bronchitis of aluminium workers in Hungary. In these occupations
after 15–20 years of exposure the incidence of these diseases increases.
Therefore, it would be necessary to consider the chronic obstructive airway
diseases in these professions occupational diseases.
To realize this, elaboration of an adequate criteria system and legal regulations
are needed.
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