title: Patterns of mortality among commercial pressmen.
abstract: A proportionate analysis of cause of death in 1,401 commercial pressmen was initiated following a report of a cancer cluster in this group. The study found a significant elevated risk of all cancers [proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) = 127] and cancers of the lymphatic and hematopoietic system (PMR = 122), with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas responsible for much of the excess. Three deaths in the cohort were attributed to myelofibrosis, a rare disease associated with benzene exposure. A significantly elevated PMR was also detected for colorectal cancer (PMR = 171) and, among those employed 20 years or more, for cancers of the liver (PMR = 216) and pancreas (PMR = 162). No excess risk of bladder or lung cancer or leukemia was seen. Proportionate mortality analyses rarely show excess risk of both cancer and heart disease in a working population. Surprisingly, a significantly elevated risk of arteriosclerotic heart disease (PMR = 113) was found in this group. These findings indicate that solvent exposure may be associated with excess mortality risk in commercial pressmen.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Zoloth
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Michaels
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Villalbi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lacher
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D007938:Leukemia / Q000401:mortality; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D009026:Mortality; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D009515:New Jersey; D009518:New York; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D011327:Printing; D012306:Risk; D012997:Solvents; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents