Bronchitis in men employed in the coke industry.

358-363. An epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of bronchitis in men employed at two of the National Coal Board's coking plants is described. Eight hundred and eighty-one men (91%) of the total working population were examined. A strong association was found between bronchitis prevalence and cigarette smoking (P < 0·001). In addition, men who smoked and who were exposed to high temperatures, dust, and fumes in the environment of the coke-ovens had more bronchitis than men who worked elsewhere in the cokeworks (P < 0·02). Both the presence of bronchitis and employment in the environment of the coke-ovens had significant and independent effects on ventilatory capacity. The combination of cigarette smoking and previous employment in a dusty industry also had a significant effect on ventilatory capacity. The investigation suggests that cigarette smoking, and the combination of smoking and pollution from the coke-ovens and previous occupation, appear to be important factors in the aetiology of bronchitis and reduced ventilatory capacity in men employed in the coke manufacturing industry.