[Evaluation of the senses of taste and smell in petroleum chemistry workers based on 3-year observations].

The authors have presented results of examinations of the smell and taste senses in 547 petrochemistry, workers, and 100 cotton industry workers composing a control group. In both groups, those aged 26 -- 35, with long duration of employment, predominated. In the primary group i.e. petroleum chemistry workers, dysgeusia has been found in 319 (58.3%) subjects with no reaction at all in 102 (18.6%) persons. Hyposmia has been found in 238 (43.5%) and anosmia in 50 (9.2%) subjects. In the control group, dysgeusia has been found in 69%, whereas anosmia in 24% of subjects.