["Plastic lung". Broncho-pulmonary pathology related to plastics (author's transl)]

Plastics can induce three main groups of respiratory accidents.--Acute and subacute intoxications related to the inhalation of volatil substances from decomposing plastics (mostly during burning and pyrolysis) or on the contrary during synthesis. They are accidental chemical broncho-pneumopathies (acute tracheo-bronchitis and pulmonary edema).--Chronic broncho-pneumopathies following repeated inhalation of dusts or suspension of plastics: pneumoconioses and thesaurismoses leading to pulmonary fibrosis.--Broncho-pneumopathies related to the irritant and sensitizing action of some components of plastics: professional asthma and sensitization pneumopathies. Diagnosis of such diseases therefore imposes a careful study of working conditions. Proof rests on two arguments:--curing by risk eviction;--analysis of the products in order to reveal their toxicity.