[Risks of malignant neoplasms in workers in Czechoslovak uranium mines]

The authors present a historical account on the findings which made it possible to define the most serious occupational disease in miners in uranium mines--bronchogenic carcinoma. In 1952-61 44 cases of lung cancer were reported in conjunction with radioactive substances, in 1962-85 already 1511 patients were recompensated. Z. Vích found in a prospective epidemiological survey that of 4803 workers who left for preventive reasons work places involving risk in 1968-75 20.5% died by 1985. The mortality rate from lung tumors was 3.5 times higher than in the male population of the Czech Republic. The authors analyze occupational risk indicators important for the prevention of this occupational disease. From the medical aspect the restriction of mining in uranium mines is welcome, as the work involves a high risk.