[Effect of furfural on the respiratory system]

Fifty-one workers of Butadien Plant, exposed to furfurol , had their respiratory system examined. Questionnaire studies demonstrated chronic bronchitis in 23.5% of subjects. Spirometric tests do not show subjective complaints. This seems to be related to hypercortisolemia, as experiments on animals indicate that furfurol inhalations increase corticosteroids concentrations in blood serum.