[Influence of tobacco dust on the respiratory system and selected immunological parameters]

Tobacco dust contains various immunologically active as well as toxic substances. However the relationship between allergic reactivity or lung function with chronic exposure to tobacco dust remains unclear. Accordingly the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between occupational chronic exposition to tobacco dust, respiratory function and some allergic reaction parameters.

40 tobacco factory workers (47.5% women and 52.5% men) aged 25-59 years (mean 36.5) chronically (5-31 years, mean 12.6) exposed to tobacco dust were included into the study. Control group consisted of 30 subjects (46.7% women, 53.3% men) aged 25-60 years (mean 36.6) not exposed to tobacco leaves' dust. Detailed epidemiological data was collected. Additionally total IgE, specific (tobacco) IgE, eosinophil blood counts, skin tests (mixed grass and weed pollens, house dust, feather, tobacco extracts), basophil degranulation and neutrophil destruction tests with tobacco extracts as well as spirometry were studied in these groups. We found that FEV1/VC was significantly lower in tobacco industry workers chronically exposed to tobacco dust than in the control group (91.5 +/- 11.6% vs. 101.7 +/- 10.7% n; p = 0.0004). These subjects were also characterized by higher occurrence of mild bronchial obturation (FEV1/VC < 88% and FEV1 > 70%) which was present in 30% tobacco factory workers and in 6.7% of control group (p = 0.035). Levels of total IgE and tobacco-specific IgE, eosinophil counts, skin test reactivity, basophil degranulation and neutrophil destruction tests were not different between groups.

Occupational chronic exposition to the dust of tobacco leaves is associated with significant increase in the occurrence of mild obturative ventilatory disturbances. Simultaneously no increased frequency of allergization to tobacco or other allergens was observed in tobacco industry workers.