Original scientific paper
Causes of chronic obstructive bronchitis in ferrous metallurgy workmen
J. Mikšić
; Institut za farmakologiju i toksikologiju Medicinskog fakulteta, Sarajevo
S. Huković
; Institut za farmakologiju i toksikologiju Medicinskog fakulteta, Sarajevo
Abstract
Within the scope of an epidemiological study on chronic respiratory disease of the lungs in an industrial population, the authors analysed the relationship between the dust being liberated in the processing of iron and the occurrence of chronic obstructive bronchitis. The analysis was performed on 400 individuals working and living under different conditions of exposure to air pollution. Experiments were also carried out on 40 experimental frogs (Rana ridibunda). On the basis of a special questionnaire (Medical Research Council - MRC) were obtained data on respiratory symptoms, whilst spirography yielded data on the ventilation function of the lungs. The authors likewise determined the content of gases (02 and C02) in arterial blood, the presence of allergic phenomena, data on the smoking habit and the consequence in the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Established was also the rate of incidence of chronic obstructive bronchitis in groups from 8 to 22,5%, as well as the common rate of 15,2%. A higher rate of incidence was found to be present in the steel works (19,5%), notably in the plant of high furnaces with agglomeration (.30%). The established higher incidence of chronic obstructive bronchitis in workmen of the Ironworks living in Zenica demonstrates a clear connection with air pollution at the working post as the principal aetiologic factor. The rate of incidence of the disease under discussion with the people of Zenica who are not employed in the industrial plants but reside in air-polluted settlements is wel-nigh one-third of the incidence of the disease occuring in the inhabitants of Zenica working in the industrial plants of the Ironworks. Chronic obstructive bronchitis is more frequent in nonsmokers (64,5%) than in smokers (35,5%) who live in the town and work in the Ironworks. The percentage of allergic phenomena in chronic obstructive bronchitis is small (4,4%), and that in spite of considerable presence the smooth musculature of the bronchioli and alveoli and to consecutive laboured spastic breathing. Of the eight investigated metal ions being the constituents of the dust, iron and nickel lead to spasm and magnesium and manganese to relaxation when coming in contact with the lung alveoli. The dust in toto exercises a lesser acute spastic influence than the metal ions constituting its main components. In 15,2% of cases the authors established a reduced ventilation function of the lungs. The majority of individulas make up the group with moderate reduction of pulmonary respiratory capacity (75,5%). The duration of forced expiration above the trachea is in significant correlation with the spirometric MEVS parameter in the first second. The authors also revealed significant differences in the findings of blood gases in relation to degree of reduction of the ventilation function of the lungs. Radiographically were established slight diffuse reticulo-nodose changes in the lungs of 57,3% of persons. The difference between the groups amounts to 30,1%. Electrocardiographically there was established a shifting of the electric axis to the right in 44,2%, and straining of the right heart in 19,6% of persons with symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
171138
URI
Publication date:
10.6.1971.
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