A case control study of lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease among employees in asphalt roofing manufacturing and asphalt production.
Two case control studies, one for lung cancer and one for non-malignant respiratory disease excluding influenza and pneumonia, of workers engaged in asphalt roofing manufacturing and asphalt production were performed to determine whether there was an increased risk associated with exposure to asphalt fumes or respirable crystalline silica in these industries. Industrial hygiene data for these roofing and asphalt plants do not exist before 1977. Pre-1977 exposure scenarios were constructed to estimate historic exposures for asphalt fumes and respirable crystalline silica. The only statistically significant elevated ORs were for cigarette smoking in both the lung cancer and the non-malignant disease analyses. The lack of an apparent dose-response relationship with exposure to asphalt fumes argues against an association between exposure to asphalt fumes at levels present in the industries reported on here and lung cancer and non-malignant respiratory disease, excluding influenza and pneumonia risk.
Watkins
Deborah K
DK
Division of Occupational Health Studies, Department of Family Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3750 Reservoir Road NW, Kober Cogan, Room 410, Washington, DC 20007, USA. watkinsd@georgetown.edu
Chiazze
Leonard
L
Fryar
Cheryl D
CD
Fayerweather
William
W
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology
D006838:Hydrocarbons; C006647:asphalt