[Chronic ENT pathology in employees of tobacco and pharmaceutical industries in conditions of small-dispersion pollution of the working zone air].

Incidence rate of chronic ENT diseases was compared in workers of tobacco and pharmaceutical industries. Using representative samples of workers employed in both industries exposed to industrial dust hazards, the rate and structure of chronic ENT pathology were compared. Damage to the upper airways (UA) consists in dystrophic changes in ENT mucosa (subatrophic isolated and combined forms). Chronic combined UA lesions in workers of the tobacco factories occur more frequently than in workers of pharmaceutical factories. It is necessary to conduct ENT examinations in applicants for jobs in factories with industrial dust hazards to detect basic diseases, especially in those with nasal septal defects and related respiratory problems.