Lung cancer in chromate-exposed aerospace workers.
A retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk of lung cancer in aerospace workers with minimum of 6 months' employment in jobs with chromium [VI] exposure (n = 2429). Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) estimated the risk of lung cancer by duration of employment in chromate-exposure jobs and cumulative exposure based on industrial hygiene and work-history data. The overall SIR for lung cancer was 0.8 (observed [Obs] = 15). Lung cancer risk was inversely related to estimates of cumulative chromate exposure and duration of employment as a painter. Although based on few cases, an elevated lung cancer risk was found in subjects who had worked for 5 or more years as a chrome plater or surface processor tank tender (Obs = 2, SIR = 1.9) and sander/masker or polisher (Obs = 3, SIR = 2.7). A clear association was not observed between chromate exposure and the risk of lung cancer in this population of workers.
Alexander
B H
BH
Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, Wash. 98195-7234, USA.
Checkoway
H
H
Wechsler
L
L
Heyer
N J
NJ
Muhm
J M
JM
O'Keeffe
T P
TP
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001359:Aviation; D002840:Chromates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D000336:Aerosols; D002840:Chromates; D004391:Dust