A total of 385 subjects in two grey iron foundries and one shipyard foundry, representing all workers using pneumatic chipping and grinding tools, together with a control population, were surveyed for the signs and symptoms of the Vibration Syndrome. The results of a questionnaire and a general medical examination (to exclude all other causes of white fingers) showed that in the two grey iron foundries, the median latency of tingling was seven months, numb ness nine months, and blanching 17 months. The prevalence of VWF was 47%. By comparison, the results in the shipyard foundry showed mean latencies of 9.1 years for tingling, 12 years for numbness, 16.8 years for blanching, with a VWF prevalence of 19%. Vibration measurements on the chipping and grinding tools, whilst engaged on the work processes, proceeded simultaneously and have been reported elsewhere.