The authors submit the results of examinations of 266 adolescents, mean age 15.8 years, from Prague and the close surroundings (Jílové, Libušín nr. Kladno). The respondents were divided into two groups with regard to the incidence of offensive inhaled allergens at the workplace. The first exposed group comprised 112 adolescents, the second (control) group where no contact with occupational inhaled allergens was found comprised 154 adolescents. The objective of the examination was to assess the ratio of atopy, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and the latent form of allergic diseases in different groups and to evaluate whether the incidence of allergic diseases of the respiratory tract had an impact on the decision of adolescents during selection of their vocations after completing elementary school. An atopic background was proved in 29.8%, allergic rhinitis in 18.4%, bronchial asthma in 5.3% and a latent form of allergy in 6.8% of the group. The two groups did not differ as to the incidence of these diseases. The authors found that in predisposed subjects during selection of the vocation possible sensitization to allergens of the working environment was not taken into account. A serious fact is that more than one third of all cases of asthma and more than half of all cases of allergic rhinitis were not diagnosed in the past, although the disease could be suspected from an aimed case-history.

        Key words: atopy, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, inhaled allergens in working environment, selection of