Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers exposed to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer at a polyvinyl chloride processing plant.
To study whether exposure to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) causes increased risk for cancer morbidity and death from ischemic heart disease, a cohort study was performed among 2,031 male workers at a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) processing plant who had been employed for at least 3 months during the period 1945-1980. An almost significantly increased total mortality (SMR = 116, 95% CI 99-136) was found. Deaths caused by violence or intoxication were significantly increased (SMR = 153, 95% CI 109-213), but not deaths from ischemic heart disease (SMR = 100, 95% CI 73-135). A significant increase in total cancer morbidity was observed (SMR = 128, 95% CI 101-161). Respiratory cancers were significantly increased (SMR = 213, 95% CI 127-346). Furthermore, six brain tumors (vs. 2.6 expected) were observed. This increase, however, was not significant (SMR = 229, 95% CI 84-498). No liver hemangiosarcoma was observed. Applying a latency period of greater than or equal to 10 years from start of employment did not change the risk patterns. There were no significant exposure-response associations between exposure estimates for VCM, asbestos, and plasticizers and cancer morbidity.
Hagmar
L
L
Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Akesson
B
B
Nielsen
J
J
Andersson
C
C
Lindén
K
K
Attewell
R
R
Möller
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D012306:Risk; D015996:Survival Rate; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014752:Vinyl Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*
D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D014752:Vinyl Chloride