Mortality and cancer incidence in Ontario glass fiber workers

Background In a previous cohort study of glass fiber manufacturing, we found a significant increase in lung cancer. This study extends the follow-up period. Methods We conducted a historical prospective study of 2557 men employed in producing glass wool. We obtained work histories, causes and dates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Occupational medicine (Oxford) 2005-10, Vol.55 (7), p.528-534
Main Authors: Shannon, Harry, Muir, Angus, Haines, Ted, Verma, Dave
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Cancer epidemiology
Chemical Industry
cohort
fibers
Follow-Up Studies
Glass
Humans
Incidence
lung cancer
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - epidemiology
Neoplasms - mortality
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - mortality
Occupational Exposure
Ontario - epidemiology
Pneumology
Prospective Studies
Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
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Summary:Background In a previous cohort study of glass fiber manufacturing, we found a significant increase in lung cancer. This study extends the follow-up period. Methods We conducted a historical prospective study of 2557 men employed in producing glass wool. We obtained work histories, causes and dates of death, and date and site of cancer diagnoses. We computed standardized mortality and incidence ratios (SMR, SIR). Results The overall SMR for lung cancer was 163 (95% CI = 118–221). The SMR did not vary consistently by duration of employment and time since first employment. However, plant workers with >20 years' employment and >40 years since first exposure had an SMR for lung cancer of 282 (95% CI = 113–582). The SMR dropped with later date of first exposure, but the trend was non-significant. There was an unexpected overall increase in kidney cancer incidence. Discussion The increase in lung cancer is greater than in other cohorts of glass fiber workers. Since exposure data are lacking from the early years of the plant, we cannot state if the excess was due to glass fibers, other work exposures or other reasons.
ISSN:0962-7480
1471-8405
DOI:10.1093/occmed/kqi124