Mortality update of workers exposed to acrylonitrile in The Netherlands.
To study the possible carcinogenic effects of acrylonitrile, we updated the follow up of a cohort of 2842 acrylonitrile workers. The comparison group consisted of 3961 workers from a nitrogen fixation plant. Industrial hygiene assessments quantified past exposure to acrylonitrile, 8-hour averages as well as peak exposure, the use of personal protective equipment, and exposure to other potential carcinogenic agents. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated to adjust for the effect of age distribution, length of follow up, and temporal changes in background mortality rates. Cumulative dose-effect relations were determined for 3 exposure categories and 3 latency periods. The results show that no cancer excess seems related to exposure to acrylonitrile. This additional follow up of a cohort of 2842 workers exposed to acrylonitrile further supports the notion that occupational exposures to acrylonitrile that have occurred in the past have not noticeably increased workers' cancer mortality rates.
Swaen
Gerard M H
GM
Department of Epidemiology, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. g.swaen@epid.unimaas.nl
Bloemen
Louis J N
LJ
Twisk
Jan
J
Scheffers
Theo
T
Slangen
Jos J M
JJ
Collins
James J
JJ
ten Berge
Wil F J P
WF
D000181:Acrylonitrile / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005308:Fertilizers; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011482:Protective Devices
D002273:Carcinogens; D005308:Fertilizers; D000181:Acrylonitrile