The objective of the work was to assess the incidence of respiratory symptoms and the level of pulmonary functions in workers of flax spinners workshops with regard to the dust content and microbiological characteristic of the atmosphere. The group comprised 112 subjects (89 woman, 23 men). The method included a modified anamnestic respiration questionnaire of the British Research Council. Pulmonary functions were assessed by the flow/volume curve method: for the first time before the shift after the least two non-working days and for the second time during the shift. The mean of all-shift dust concentrations was 10.6 mg/m3 (SD 7.5, range 2.7 – 39.4). The microbial contamination per 1 m3 of air was 275 452 and also the structure of species was a serious issue. At least one respiratory symptom associated with work was reported by 41% workers, the predominating symptoms was cough (36.6% subjects). The prevalence of chronic bronchitis according to WHO criteria was 20.5%. Byssinotic symptoms were reported by 6.3% of the examined subjects. Chronic ventilation disorders of a mild degree were recoreed in 7% of the subjects, more severe disorders were not detected. Although the incidence of subjective complaints was relatively high in the workshop, it was not associated with deterioration of pulmonary functions.

        Key words: flax, textile, respiratory symptoms, byssinosis