[Importance of the work environment for the respiratory system]

In the working process a great number of dusts, gases and smokes affect on the respiratory organs which may lead to fibrogenic, irritative, toxic, cancerogenic or allergic reactions, when the norms of industrial hygiene are not observed. In addition to this come still infective agents. Also communal surroundings, habits of life and medicaments are able to impair the respiratory organ with concurrent noxae. Among the professional diseases which are annually acknowledged about 1,200 (10%) concern the respiratory organ. Apart from the classical professional diseases silicosis and asbestosis unspecific diseases of the respiratory organ, carcinomas and allergoses come into the foreground of interest. The report needs special knowledge in the field of professional medicine and an analysis of the working conditions. The observation of the MAK-values is the prerequisite for the prophylaxis and prevention. For noxae with biologic long-term effects the life-long control of the exposed persons is necessary.