[Occupational allergy in miners]

The authors allergologically analysed 141 coal miners afflicted with upper respiratory tract inflammations. In 7% of cases the disease was found to be induced by coal dust. All the subjects exhibited positive dermal tests with common allergens (plants pollens, household dust, saprophytes, moulds). The authors suggest that atopic status may contraindicate the work in coal mining. 57% of cases exhibited changes in the nose inhibiting its patency (hypertrophy of nasal concha, nasal mucosa polyps, lateral deviation of the nasal septum).