Mortality of employees in plants manufacturing 4,4'-bipyridyl.
A historical-prospective cohort study was conducted of 729 male employees of plants manufacturing 4,4'-bipyridyl. The cohort was studied because employment in some of the plants had been linked to malignant and nonmalignant skin lesions attributed to exposure to tarry by-products. The overall mortality experience of the cohort did not show any statistically significant findings. More-detailed analysis of subdivision of the cohort gave results that justified further inquiry into lung cancer incidence. A nested case-referent study did not indicate that any occupational factor other than employment in a bipyridyl plant was related to the incidence of lung cancer. The epidemiologic, toxicologic, and industrial hygiene information was assessed, and it was concluded that there was no evidence of a plausible occupational hazard of lung cancer to the bipyridyl workers, but that a follow-up of the cohort after an interval of five years should be undertaken.
Paddle
G M
GM
ICI Epidemiology Unit, Nr Macclesfield, Cheshire, United Kingdom.
Osborn
A J
AJ
Parker
G D
GD
D015331:Cohort Studies; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009026:Mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D011725:Pyridines; C007391:diglyme; C023666:pyridine; C034306:4,4'-bipyridyl