A thirty-eight year comparison of cancer incidence and mortality among employees at a Connecticut chemical plant.
An important aspect of occupational mortality is the fact that death registration is complete and has good specificity and sensitivity for those cancers with poor survival. However, if available and complete, cancer incidence data are preferable. A unique opportunity presented itself at The Dow Chemical Company's Allyn's Point plant (Gales Ferry, Connecticut) to conduct a cancer incidence and mortality study since the plant began operation in 1951, several years after the establishment of the Connecticut Tumor Registry. All male employees (N = 666) with one or more years of service from 1951-1989 were eligible for the study. Altogether there were 47 primary incident cancers which represented 40 individuals. The Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) for all cancer was 124 (95% confidence interval [CI] 91-165). There were 23 deaths reported for all cancers (Standardized Mortality Ratio [SMR] 87, 95% CI 55-131). Only laryngeal cancer incidence was statistically significant (Standardized Incidence Ratio [SIR] 417, 95% CI 135-972). After review of the work history records, this association was found to be inconsistent with a common exposure hazard at the plant.
Olsen
G W
GW
Dow Chemical Company, Epidemiology Department, Health and Environmental Sciences, Midland, MI 48674, USA.
Gondek
M R
MR
Flannery
J
J
Cartmill
J B
JB
Bodner
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002617:Chemical Industry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012042:Registries; D015996:Survival Rate