A case-control study of lung cancer at a dye and resin manufacturing plant.
This case-control study evaluated the relationship between lung cancer and occupational factors among employees at a dye and resin manufacturing plant. The study included 51 lung cancer cases and 102 controls who were members of a cohort of workers investigated in a previous retrospective follow-up study. Information on area of employment and on potential exposure to certain chemicals was obtained from plant personnel and medical records and from interviews with long-term employees. Information on potential confounders, including cigarette smoking, was obtained by interviewing study subjects or their next-of-kin. The odds ratio (OR) for heavy smokers compared with light or nonsmokers was 5.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.4-15). An elevated OR for lung cancer was observed for subjects who worked in the anthraquinone dye and epichlorohydrin manufacturing area of the plant (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.1-5.2) and for employees who were seen at the plant infirmary for acute exposure to chlorine (OR, adjusted for smoking = 27; 95% CI = 3.5-205). Pipefitters employed at the plant for five or more years also had an elevated OR (3.3; 95% CI = 0.8-14).
Barbone
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F
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Delzell
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E
Austin
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H
Cole
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P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002713:Chlorine / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004811:Epichlorohydrin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D012116:Resins, Plant; D004811:Epichlorohydrin; D001194:Asbestos; D002713:Chlorine