[Radiologic diagnosis of morphologic and functional changes in the bronchopulmonary system in workers employed in production and processing of ethylene oxide].

A total of 3475 subjects, engaged in such production for 2-20 years, were annually and before starting work examined by clinical and x-ray methods; 2427 of these were regularly exposed to ethylene oxide (the main group). X-Ray examinations included roentgenomorphologic (total fluorogram of the thoracic cavity organs and long-distance roentgenograms, tomograms, bronchograms, if necessary) and roentgenofunctional (roentgenopneumopolygraphy) methods of examination of the bronchopulmonary system. Chronic bronchitis was detected in 407 workers of the main group and in 79 controls; in 76.2% of the main group patients and in 90% of controls it was chronic nonobstructive functionally unstable bronchitis, in the rest it was chronic obstructive bronchitis.