Pneumoconioses in Poland.

This article deals with the analysis of the epidemiological situation in Poland in the purview of the incidence of pneumoconioses in the past 32 years. During that period pneumoconioses (mainly in coal workers and arc welders) made 17% of all occupational diseases and proved to be the most common pathology among occupational diseases of the respiratory system. The average age of the majority of persons who developed pneumoconioses was over 40 years and duration of exposure--20 years. Almost a half of them was granted disability pensions and average health impairment was assessed at 41%.