The respiratory health of carbon black workers--differences between Polish, west European and American scientific...

Carbon black is used as a reinforcing agent and pigment. It is often equated with environmental soots but actually differs from the general class of soots in terms of chemical, physical and biological properties. In Poland, epidemiological surveys indicate a possible existence of pulmonary hazards among the workers exposed to carbon black, although further surveys are now under way. In West European countries, the results of one survey do not support this, but the next one will be completed after 6 years. In the United States, results indicate that exposure to carbon black in the workplace does not increase the risks of workers for circulatory, respiratory and malignant morbidities. Further evaluation of the effect of carbon black on human health must be continued.