A high prevalence of toxic pneumonitis (TP) among recycling workers in Denmark have been reported earlier. This study investigates the relationship between TP and other respiratory among exposed recycling workers. Thirty-eight garbage-handling workers (GHW) and 150 paper-workers (PW) at a paper mill producing recycled paper were examined with a questionnaire covering respiratory symptoms, allergy, smoking and work history. The diagnose of TP was made if the persons had experienced two or more of the following symptoms: fever, influenza feeling or chest tightness in relation to their work. Chronic dry cough was diagnosed if the person had had cough without phlegm for at least 3 months a year for at least 2 years. The prevalences of dry cough were 21% and 6% among GHW and PW respectively. The prevalences of TP in the groups were 16% and 17%. In a multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for smoking, Odds ratio (OR) for dry cough was significantly increased among persons who had experienced TP, whereas the OR was decreasing with length of tenure. In conclusion this study shows a significantly increased OR for dry cough among persons who have experienced TP associated to their work. This could reflect an increased susceptibility among these persons leading to different symptoms after exposure to organic dust.