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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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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