Asbestosis in a manufacture of asbestos-cement products

Ispitivana je učestalost azbestoze u jednom poduzeću azbestne-cementnih proizvoda. Detaljno je opisan tehnološki proces, izvršena su mjerenja zaprašenosti radne atmosfere, a svi radnici izloženi azbestnoj prašini pregledani su klinički i rendgenološki. Pregledom su obuhvaćena 64 radnika (48 muških i 16 žena). Znakovi azbestoze u različitom stepenu oboljenja utvrđeni su kod 6 radnika (4 muškarca i 2 žene). Najveći broj oboljenja - tri - odnosi se na odjeljenje mlinova i dezintegratora, gdje radi ukupno 11 radnika. U odjeljenju holendera i komora, u kojem su zaposlene 22 osobe, otkrivena su dva oboljenja od azbestoze, a na rezanju, brušenju i tokarenju azbestno-cementnih proizvoda (7 zaposlenih) jedno oboljenje. Ni jedan od oboljelih radnika nije izložen azbestu manje od 5 godina. U pravilu se radi o osobama s najdužom i najmasivnijom ekspozicijom azbestu. Rezultati ispitivanja uspoređeni su s podacima iz literature, a nalazi su kritički ocijenjeni, naročito s obzirom na to što je u nekim slučajevima kombinirana ekspozicija i azbestnoj i cementnoj prašini. Kako su u našoj zemlji dosad opisana oboljenja od azbestoze samo u ekstraktivnoj industriji, ispitivanje je pokazalo da kod nas i u poduzećima gdje se prerađuje azbest postoje uvjeti za pojavu azbestoze.The incidence of asbestosis in a factory of asbestos-cement products is analysed. The technological process is described in detail. Measurements of dust concentration were carried out, and all the workers exposed to asbestos dust - 48 men and 16 women - were clinically examined and X-rayed. The symptoms of asbestosis in various stages were observed in 6 workers (4 men and 2 women). Half of them - 3 - work in the department of mills and desintegrators, where there are 11 workers in all. In the department of the cholender and chambers with 22 workers, there were 2 cases of asbestosis, and in cutting and grinding (7 workers in all) only one case. None of the workers affected by asbestosis had worked less than 5 years. In fact, they all belong to the group of workers with the longest working period and severest exposure to asbestos. The results obtained are compared with literature data and assessed with particular reference to the fact that in some cases exposure related to both asbestos and cement dust. In this country only cases of asbestosis occurring in extracting industry have so far been reported. These investigations, however, have shown that asbestosis occur, also in factories manufacturing asbestos products