[Nasal and pharyngeal mucous membrane in workers of artistic weaving plants]

68 persons employed at the production of fabrics from wool and flax, have been subjected to otolaryngological examinations. Chronic atrophic catarrh of mucous membrane of nose and pharynx was found in all 8 persons employed in tapestry weaving mill and in 44 among 60 employees of a weaving mill operated manually. Atrophic changes occurred most frequently both in the nose and the pharynx, less frequently only in the nose, and the least frequently only in the pharynx. Chronic atrophic catarrh of upper respiratory tract mucous membrane was found to be more frequent among those with the length of employment above 5 years than those with shorter employment, though this difference was not statistically significant. No correlation was found between the occurrence of chronic catarrh of upper respiratory tract and hearing damage.