Effect of occupational exposure to opiates on the respiratory system

The authors discuss the effect of occupational exposure to opiates. A depressive influence of opiates on the respiratory system is well known. This effect results from stimulation of opioid kappa and delta receptors in the central nervous system leading to a decrease in spirometric parameters and degranulation of mast cells. The studies carried out in the USA indicated that 26% of the pharmaceutical industry workers, occupationally exposed to opiates suffer from bronchial asthma. Some of the cases can be explained by the effect of opiates on the respiratory system mentioned above, but this is not a full explanation. Contribution of immunological mechanisms is also possible. The presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies was found in workers exposed to opiates. Changes in distribution of individual subpopulations of lymphocytes T were also observed. The question of asthma and other disorders of the respiratory system in persons exposed to opiates does not receive due recognition in Poland. In view of data presented in this paper this attitude should be changed as this problem is not only the subject of occupational medicine but also of some other fields, particularly in view of a recent increase in the number of users of drugs which also include opiates.