Low-level hexavalent chromium exposure and rate of mortality among US chromate production employees.
OBJECTIVE
Although numerous studies have reported an elevated lung cancer risk among chromium chemical production employees, few studies have focused on employees hired after major process changes and enhanced industrial hygiene controls were implemented.


METHODS
This study examines the mortality experience of two post-change cohorts of chromate production employees constituting the current US chromium chemical industry.


RESULTS
Mortality among chromium chemical workers generally was lower than expected on the basis of national and state-specific referent populations. Lung cancer mortality was 16% lower than expected, with only three lung cancer deaths (3.59 expected).


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of an elevated lung cancer risk may be a favorable reflection of the post-change environment. However, longer follow-up allowing an appropriate latency for the entire cohort will be needed to confirm this conclusion.
Luippold
Rose S
RS
ENVIRON Health Sciences, ENVIRON International Corp., Amherst, Massachusetts 01004-2424, USA. rluippold@environhsi.com
Mundt
Kenneth A
KA
Dell
Linda D
LD
Birk
Thomas
T
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion