[Occupational pathology of the respiratory organs in miners of highly mechanized ore mines using diesel vehicles].

A medical survey of 2000 miners was performed at industrial sites using high-mechanized self-propelled diesel vehicles in the Far North, South and East regions of the country. All the miners were exhibited to quartz containing polymetal ore dusts and diesel exhausts. 128 miners were medically examined to specify the morphological changes in the bronchi and respiratory sections in case of occupational pathology, as well as to establish specific clinical manifestations. In 81 cases, fibro-bronchoscopy was performed and bronchial mucous and transbronchial pulmonary biopsy. Due to the increased concentrations of benzopyrene and other soot absorbed polycyclic hydrocarbons, thoron and radon, the authors tentatively proposed them as risk-factors for occupational malignant bronchopulmonary diseases development.