[Occupational respiratory diseases surveillance programs].

Abstract

The authors discus selected aspects of occupational health surveillance based on the activities carried out by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Several surveillance programs concerning occupational and work-related respiratory diseases in different countries are presented. A special emphasis is put on the possibility of using the existing data in assessing the prevalence of these diseases in populations, monitoring of changing trends, and assuring proper orientation of activities aimed at improving safety and health of the working population.