[Anosmia caused by inhaled hazardous substances. Significance for expert assessment general practice].
BACKGROUND
Both environmental and occupational pollutants can affect the functional integrity of the olfactory epithelium or even destroy olfactory tissue. However, occupational hyposmia and anosmia have not been included into the list of occupational diseases. Therefore, compensation of occupationally induced smell disorders is difficult.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patients with toxic hyposmia for the pollutants involved and to discuss consequences for occupational and environmental medicine.


METHODS
A total of 19 patients were evaluated in our departments between 1993 and 1997 for olfactory disorders related to environmental or occupational pollutants. The charts of these patients were retrospectically analyzed and the causative pollutants compared with the literature.


RESULTS
A chronical exposure to mixtures of metal dusts and steam, volatile organic substances, and anorganic gases were the most common pollutants involved in occupational dysosmia. Only one case of acute development of an anosmia due to exposure to CO and combustion gases was documented.


CONCLUSIONS
Olfactory disorders are underestimated in occupational and environmental medicine. Relevance of olfactotoxic substances for occupational medicine can be postulated in metal and chemical workers, in welding and disinfection. The list of occupational diseases should be completed by olfactory hyposmia and anosmia.
Klimek
L
L
HNO-Universitätsklinik Mainz.
Muttray
A
A
Moll
B
B
Konietzko
J
J
Mann
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015386:Hazardous Substances