Occupational Pollution

Abstract

Risk factors for and/or determinants of chronic disease are usually classified as personal and environmental. 1 Last JM A Dictionary of epidemiology, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, A handbook sponsored by the International Epidemiologic Association, New York1988: 1-141 Google Scholar In the case of chronic airways disease (CAD), the universality of the smoking habit and the strong and now widely accepted evidence of its causal role in the genesis of airways disease 2 A report of the Surgeon-General The health consequences of smoking: chronic obstructive lung disease. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office on Smoking and Health, Rockville, MD1984: 1-512 Google Scholar have tended to overshadow the role of other environmental pollutants such as those to which men and women are exposed in the course of their work. 3 A report of the Surgeon-General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Office on Smoking and Health, Cancer and chronic lung disease in the workplace1985: 1-542 Google Scholar Indeed, despite the recognition that certain syndromes of airways dysfunction such as chronic bronchitis and asthma may develop as a consequence of occupational exposure, 3 A report of the Surgeon-General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Office on Smoking and Health, Cancer and chronic lung disease in the workplace1985: 1-542 Google Scholar , 4 Morgan WKC Seton A Occupational lung diseases, 3rd ed. WB Saunders, Philadelphia1984: 1-686 Google Scholar a commonly held view has been that if airflow limitation develops, eg, following exposure to dusty conditions in the workplace, it is minor and not sufficient to impair pulmonary function or disable the affected worker. 4 Morgan WKC Seton A Occupational lung diseases, 3rd ed. WB Saunders, Philadelphia1984: 1-686 Google Scholar , 5 Higgins ITT The epidemiology of chronic respiratory disease.. Prev Med. 1973; 2: 14-33 Crossref PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar , 6 Morgan WKC On dust, disability and death.. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1986; 134: 639-641 Google Scholar