[Respiratory function in chemical workers].

The authors have evaluated the trend of the forced expiratory flows at low lung volumes and of the diffusing capacity for CO in a group of chemical workers of a dye factory, exposed to mineral dusts, organic pigments and solvents. Prevalences of chronic bronchitis and dyspnea, as evaluated by CNR questionnaire, were 15 and 32%. FEF25-75, MEF50 and MEF75 showed statistically significant differences with reference values. The reduction of KCO% was almost completely accounted for by smoking habit. During exercise, DLCOSS2 did not reach the expected values. 71% of the subjects with a diagnosis of COLD had worked more than 15 years in the dye factory. These results suggest a negative effect of the working environment, together with cigarette smoking, on lung function of subjects with a medium-long-term exposure.