Respiratory pathology pattern of aluminium industry workers in Russian Arctic

The aim of the study is to investigate risks, prevalence, clinical forms of chronic bronchopulmonary diseases (CBPD) in aluminum workers and assess whether asthma and other respiratory conditions occur excessively among pot workers. The survey of 479 workers at Kandalaksha aluminum smelter has shown that the most prevalent respiratory disease is chronic bronchitis (CB) detected in 13,4-17,0 % of workers. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma (all forms) are diagnosed much less frequently (2,9 % each). The development of CB and COPD is closely associated with the degree of exposure to tobacco smoke and harmful production factors. Work experience lasting 6-14 years has led to an increased risk of CB / COPD to 5,11 (CI 1,26-20,80), work experience lasting for more than 14 years – up to 7,78 (CI 1,93-31,33) as compared with the employment duration of less than 6 years. CB/COPD are diagnosed in 31,3 % of smokers and only in 5,8 % of non-smokers (p