engleski

Immunological and respiratory changes in tobacco workers

Immunological and respiratory changes were studied in tobacco workers. All workers were exposed to tobacco dust during processing tobacco leaves. A high prevalence was recorded for all respiratory symptoms accompanied by reduction in ventilatory capacity. Obstructive lung function changes were mostly pronounced in smaller airways. Significantly higher prevalences of positive skin prick tests were recorded in tobacco workers than in controls. Increased serum levels of total IgE were documented in 45.1%tobacco workers and in 2.7% of the control workers (p<0, 01). However, workers with positive skin prick tests had prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes similar to those of workers with negative skin prick tests. Such changes were more pronounced in smokers compared to nonsmokers. Our data suggest that both smoking and dust exposure in the tobacco industry may be responsible for the development of respiratory impairment and immunological reactions.

tobacco workers; immunological findings; respiratory changes

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