[Medical prevention of chronic occupational intoxications due to metallic mercury].

A group of workers exposed to elemental mercury was monitored over a period of 14 years (1983-1996) at the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec. Mercury was used as a catalyst in the synthesis of acetic aldehyde and obtaining of chlorine. Every year medical examination was performed in the group of 163-277 persons.

[Effect of metal dust on the respiratory system. II. Clinical examinations].

Studies were carried out in 4 groups of workers occupationally exposed to cadmium, tungsten, manganese and lead. All those groups were homogeneous, composed exclusively of men aged 35--45, of similar height, body weight, and duration of employment above 10 years. Following the same criteria, a group of forestry workers, unexposed to dust, was randomly selected.

[Effect of metal dust on the respiratory system. I. Experimental studies].

The Wistar rats were intratracheally administered 50 mg of PbO dust, the same amounts of metalliferous dust from one of lead--and zinc works and of ferrotungsten dust, and 10--15 mg of cadmium dust (greater doses of cadmium dust resulted in animals' death). After 6 months, and in the case of cadmium dust after 9--12 months, the animals were dissected and their lungs were morphologically examined and hydroxyproline level was determined. In all groups hydroxyproline was found to be increased but fibrosis was different, especially in the group exposed to cadmium dust.