Cancers related to exposure to arsenic at a copper smelter.
OBJECTIVE
This is an update of an earlier study on the relation between exposure to arsenic in air and deaths from respiratory cancer. The purpose was to verify earlier findings of a supralinear dose response relation and to examine relations with other cancers, particularly those reported in studies on drinking water.


METHODS
An earlier study of 2802 men who worked at a copper smelter for a year or more during the period 1940-64 and who were followed up for deaths during the period 1941-76 was updated until 1986. Estimates of exposure for the period 1977-1984 were added.


CONCLUSIONS
The additional follow up confirms the earlier finding that at low doses the increments in death rates for respiratory cancer for a given increment in dose are greater than at high doses. The additional follow up also shows significant increases in cancer of the large intestine and bone, and SMRs > 150 for cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, rectal cancer, and kidney cancer. There was a positive relation between exposure to arsenic in air and kidney and bone cancer, but none for the other cancers, except respiratory.
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Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Marsh
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D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001151:Arsenic