Abstract
Blending of different grades of tea is a very dusty process which exposes workers to a fine fluff. Tea blenders (125) with an average service of 22.9 yr in the industry were interviewed according to a standard questionnaire, and submitted to a clinical and radiographical examination. The examination was repeated 8 and 31 mo. later. Forty-six workers (36%) had respiratory illness, 31 had chronic bronchitis (24.8%), 8 had asthma (6.4%) and 7 had active or inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (5.6%). The prevalence of chronic bronchitis and asthma was more than that expected in the general population. Apparently these 2 conditions are etiologically related to long-term exposure to tea fluff.

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