[Respiratory symptoms and functions in tea workers].

Respiratory symptoms and function tests were studied in tea workers and in a control group. The prevalance of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms were not different in two groups except for an acute burning sensation of eye-nose-throat and a chronic cough. Also the comparison of the respiratory function tests between tea workers (both smokers and nonsmokers) and the controls were not different at preshift and postshift 30th minute and 8th hour. When preshift and postshift results were compared in tea workers (both in smokers and nonsmokers); statistically significant reductions of FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75 and FEF25 were seen at the postshift values. However statistically significant reductions were not observed in controls. Thus we conclude acute tea dust exposure may cause bronchial obstruction particularly in small airways.