Excess Lung Cancer Risk in a Synthetic Chemicals Plant

A standardized mortality ratio of 1.49 for respiratory system cancer (42 observed deaths versus 28.2 expected, p < 0.01) was observed among a cohort of 4806 males employed at a synthetic chemicals plant since its startup in 1942. Upon review of pathologic material, the excess was found to be limi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental health perspectives 1981-10, Vol.41, p.159-165
Main Authors: Waxweiler, Richard J., Smith, Allan H., Falk, Henry, Tyroler, Herman A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma - chemically induced
carcinogenesis
Carcinoma - chemically induced
Carcinoma, Small Cell - chemically induced
Chemical hazards
Chemical Industry
Chlorides
Cigarette smoking
Conference to Reevaluate the Toxicity of Vinyl Chloride Monomer, Poly(vinyl Chloride) and Structural Analogs. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. March 20-21, 1980
Follow-Up Studies
health and welfare
Histology
Humans
Lung neoplasms
Lung Neoplasms - chemically induced
Lungs
Male
mathematical models
Mortality
Occupational Diseases - chemically induced
Pathology
Polyvinyl Chloride - adverse effects
Polyvinyls - adverse effects
respiratory system
Retrospective Studies
Risk
safety
statistical analysis
Time Factors
United States
vinyl chloride
Vinyl Chloride - adverse effects
Vinyl Compounds - adverse effects
Vinyl polymers
working conditions
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Summary:A standardized mortality ratio of 1.49 for respiratory system cancer (42 observed deaths versus 28.2 expected, p < 0.01) was observed among a cohort of 4806 males employed at a synthetic chemicals plant since its startup in 1942. Upon review of pathologic material, the excess was found to be limited to adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated lung cancer. Many of the workers had been exposed to vinyl chloride, as well as to chlorinated solvents, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) dust, acrylates and acrylonitrile. To evaluate the association between lung cancer and occupational chemical exposures, detailed work histories for each cohort member were combined with exposure ratings for each of 19 chemicals for each job for each calendar year since 1942. A serially additive expected dose model was then constructed which compared the doses of the chemicals observed for the lung cancer cases to the doses expected based on subcohorts without lung cancer individually matched to the cases. PVC dust appeared to be the most likely etiologic agent (p = 0.037). Time trends of PVC dust exposure indicated a potential latent period of 5-16 years before death.
ISSN:0091-6765
1552-9924
DOI:10.1289/ehp.8141159