[The results of the combined programmed treatment of those who cleaned up the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station who suffer from respiratory organ diseases].

Examination of respiratory system in subjects exposed to long-term inhalation of radioactive dust when engaged in repair works after the Chernobyl accident have revealed specific pathology of the respiratory organs caused by long-term persistence of radioactive dust in the lung tissue. A special regimen of combined treatment has been developed which included: bronchoalveolar lavage, antioxidants, broncholytics, mucolytics, extracorporeal procedures, physical rehabilitation. 1-year monitoring of subjects on this treatment versus untreated controls proved the above regimen beneficial as the patients exhibited less intensive clinical symptoms, less frequent exacerbations of infectious and inflammatory processes, higher quality of life. Some of the patients resumed work. Contrary to controls, the patients had no signs of progression. Therapeutic bronchoalveolar lavage led to elimination of a large percent of the radioactive dust which was present in the alveolar macrophages, thus ruling out the key factor of respiratory affections.