[Health effects of occupational diseases diagnosed in Poland during the years 1990 and 1994]

The study was carried out on the material of 15,136 occupational diseases that accounted for 71.9% and 65.6% of all cases detected in 1990 and 1994, respectively. The analysis focused on the selected health effects of occupational diseases, such as sickness absenteeism, the transfer to other workposts, the percentage of health impairment and related single recompensation as well as disability pension. The study helped to draw many conclusions of great value, and disclosed major pathologies and their causes responsible for the range of related health effects. Long-term sickness absenteeism, high percentage of health impairment and related consequences for the country's economy (single recompensations and growing number of disability pensions paid due to occupational diseases), and low proportion of transfers to safe workposts were most striking among the effects in question. The study also contributed to initiating the establishment of the data base and the development of the system for data collection and analysis of information on health effects of occupational diseases in Poland.