| pubmed-article:2131400 | pubmed:abstractText | The influence of the working environment in a coke factory on the respiratory system of workers was examined in 253 workers employed for at least 5 years at coke production in baking ovens, or at coke sorting and processing. They were exposed to high air concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and tar substances as well as other numerous toxic substances e.g. benzene++ derivatives, the level of which however, did not exceed the MAC values. Medical examination comprising the MRC questionnaire and spirometry , using Godart Expirograph, was carried out Among the exposed workers the non-specific chronic respiratory diseases with obstructive symptoms and chronic bronchitis were revealed more often than in the control group such factors as tobacco smoking and the duration of work also had their influence on the frequency of respiratory diseases. The possibility of the impact of high air concentrations of BaP and carbon monoxide cannot be excluded either. | lld:pubmed |
