[Functional conditions of the respiratory system and work site pollution. II. Prevalence of respiratory function changes in workers employed in bichromate and chromic acid production (author's transl)].

The authors report the prevalence of respiratory function changes in two groups of workers employed in bichromate and chromic acid production. In the first group (82 subjects) examined at the Institute of Occupational Medicine, the following tests were performed: filling out of a questionnaire for cronic bronchitis; chest x-ray; spirometry; pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLco) measurement; blood gas analysis on arteriolized capillary; He and CO2 rapid expiratory curves determination. No environmental pollution data were available. In the second group (180 subjects) examined at the working site, the following tests were performed: filling out of a questionnaire -or chronic bronchitis; spirometric determination. Environmental pollution data were available. A causal connection is hypothesized by the authors between either roentgenologic or respiratory functional changes and chromium exposure, and an increased proportion between lung function changes and exposure length is stressed.