Lung cancer following exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether. An epidemiological study.
A historical prospective epidemiological study was conducted on workers exposed to chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) containing 0.5% to 4% bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) as an impurity. The study period was 1948 to 1972. Follow-up procedures located 98.9% of the cohort, including those separated from the plant. The cause of death was established for 95.3% of the 278 known deceased men. A CMME exposure rating system was established from employees' work histories and recollections of supervisors. This system approximated relative exposure concentrations and duration times. Analysis on an age-specific basis revealed a relative risk of lung cancer 3.8 times higher in 669 exposed vs 1,616 unexposed workers, a significant increase. Although limited by lack of quantitative environmental sampling data, dose-response relationships were established between lung cancer an intensity and/or duration of exposure.
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001725:Bis(Chloromethyl) Ether / Q000009:adverse effects; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D001725:Bis(Chloromethyl) Ether