[Chronic bronchitis and ventilatory capacity of the lungs in relation to the function of small airways in workers in a Coke-Processing Plants in Zabrze].

In 449 male workers of the Zabrze Coking Plant (age 18-62 years) a questionnaire analysis of presence of bronchitic symptoms was carried out. The following ventilatory parameters were also assessed: FVC, FEV1, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 30.5% of the analysed subjects. The incidence of chronic bronchitis was four-fold higher in smoking males (33.9%) in comparison with non-smokers (8.3%). The authors did not find any relation between the character of work in subject with occupational exposure to atmospheric pollutants and incidence of chronic bronchitis. Smoking produced a decrease in flow during forced expiration especially in males older than 40 years. Subjects with higher occupational exposure to atmospheric pollutants demonstrated higher incidence of airway obstruction (21.2%) and lower mean FEV1% and flow volumes in comparison to subjects with lower occupational exposure.