[Occupational risk in asbestos textile manufacture]

Detailed investigations of the environment in asbestostextile industry ("Asbestos produce" plant in the town of Sevlievo) were carried out. The parameters determined were: overall dusting, amount of asbestos in aerosol, its mineral and disperse composition. Data on the degree of dusting in the plant for the period 1960--1976 were analyzed and summarized. Professiograms were elaborated, with chronometry and appraisal of the burden of the work operations. All workers were tested clinically and roentgenologically. The data obtained on the degree of dusting in the different departments were re-calculated as amount of inhaled asbestos, depending on how hard the work is, resp. the pulmonary ventilation. The actual risk of asbestos injury was highest in the carding department, followed by the preparatory and the spinning departments. A distinct correlation exists between the degree of professional risk, determined by the asbestos contaminations, and the clinical and laboratory findings.