[Experience of Astrakhan Center for Occupational Diseases]

Occupational health service in Astrakhan was founded in 1920-s with studies of local pathology traced to microtraumatism and hands dermatitis on food industry enterprises, excessive ultraviolet insolation in agricultural workers. Afterwards special attention was focused on respiratory diseases, influence of climate factors, toxic chemicals and allergens, physical strain on humans. Occupational health service improvement was promoted with creation of Regional Center for Occupational Diseases in 1974. The main result of the Center activities is that advanced forms of first diagnosed occupational diseases are nearly absent in recent years.