PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC NONSPECIFIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN ROAD TUNNEL EMPLOYEES

Abstract

Results are presented of an epidemiologic investigation of the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions of a group of men exposed to automobile exhaust in a road tunnel. Chronic nonspecific respiratory disease was more prevalent in men who had worked in the tunnel for more than 10 years than in those with a shorter time of employment. Chest colds were also more frequent in this group. The size of the sample did not permit proper assessment of the effect of age or cigarette smoking on this population. The maximal expiratory flow rate, as measured with the Wright peak flowmeter, was significantly lower in the workers with chronic nonspecific respiratory disease than in the rest of the workers studied.