Mortality and cancer incidence in Ontario glass fiber workers.
BACKGROUND
In a previous cohort study of glass fiber manufacturing, we found a significant increase in lung cancer. This study extends the follow-up period.


METHODS
We conducted a historical prospective study of 2557 men employed in producing glass wool. We obtained work histories, causes and dates of death, and date and site of cancer diagnoses. We computed standardized mortality and incidence ratios (SMR, SIR).


RESULTS
The overall SMR for lung cancer was 163 (95% CI = 118-221). The SMR did not vary consistently by duration of employment and time since first employment. However, plant workers with >20 years' employment and >40 years since first exposure had an SMR for lung cancer of 282 (95% CI = 113-582). The SMR dropped with later date of first exposure, but the trend was non-significant. There was an unexpected overall increase in kidney cancer incidence.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in lung cancer is greater than in other cohorts of glass fiber workers. Since exposure data are lacking from the early years of the plant, we cannot state if the excess was due to glass fibers, other work exposures or other reasons.
Shannon
Harry
H
Program in Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street, West Hamilton, Ontario M5G 2E9, Canada. shannonh@mcmaster.ca
Muir
Angus
A
Haines
Ted
T
Verma
Dave
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002617:Chemical Industry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
C009753:fiberglass