A cohort mortality study of employees in the U.S. carbon black industry.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study are to evaluate historical mortality patterns, especially due to cancers, among employees of the U.S. carbon black industry and to address the methodological shortcomings of previous U.S. mortality studies.


METHODS
We followed mortality of 5011 workers employed 1 year or more since the 1930s at 18 carbon black facilities through December 31, 2003. Age-, race-, sex-, and calendar year-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using state-specific mortality rates.


RESULTS
Follow up was 96% complete. All-cause (SMR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70-0.78) and all-cancer mortality (SMR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74-0.92) showed significant deficits. No excess was observed from lung (SMR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.82-1.15) or bladder (SMR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.47-1.87) cancers or from nonmalignant respiratory diseases (SMR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.83-1.18). No trends were seen with duration of employment or time since hire for any cause of death.


CONCLUSIONS
Employment in carbon black production in the United States seems not to be associated with increased mortality overall, cancer overall and, in particular, lung cancer. Further research, however, incorporating a detailed exposure assessment is needed to determine whether exposure to carbon black at high levels may be associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Dell
Linda D
LD
ENVIRON International Corporation, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
Mundt
Kenneth A
KA
Luippold
Rose S
RS
Nunes
Anthony P
AP
Cohen
Linda
L
Burch
Margaret T
MT
Heidenreich
Maria J
MJ
Bachand
Annette M
AM
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D053260:Soot / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D053260:Soot