[Precancerous conditions of the larynx in workers exposed to dust and their prevention].

This paper presents the results of examinations of 522 workers exposed to various industrial dusts and 361 workers exposed to different concentrations of carcinogenic asbestos dust. The examinations showed a significantly higher incidence of total processes in the upper respiratory tract which manifested as chronic subatrophic nasopharingitis and hyperplastic laryngitis. Also, they demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of local processes that manifested as hyperplasia of the laryngeal mucosa and contact fibromas. These laryngeal lesions can be viewed as etiologically associated with the effect of industrial dusts having traumatic (abrasive and glass dust) and carcinogenic (asbestos) properties. Patients with the above laryngeal pathologies should be removed from the dust environment and sent to physical examinations with emphasis on occupational diseases.