[Tobacco manufacture: environmental and health studies]

Widespread environmental pollution in a tobacco manufacturing plant in Tuscany was identified as one of the possible risk factors for respiratory disorders among the workers. High concentrations of airborne dust were recorded during the tobacco supply operations and at other work stations respirable dust concentrations were well above the TLV. A medical survey carried out to assess the health status of the workers showed a fairly high frequency of respiratory diseases. As a result of these findings, a dust control programme was enforced.