Cancer mortality in IBM Endicott plant workers, 1969-2001: an update on a NY production plant.
BACKGROUND
In response to concerns expressed by workers at a public meeting, we analyzed the mortality experience of workers who were employed at the IBM plant in Endicott, New York and died between 1969-2001. An epidemiologic feasibility assessment indicated potential worker exposure to several known and suspected carcinogens at this plant.


METHODS
We used the mortality and work history files produced under a court order and used in a previous mortality analysis. Using publicly available data for the state of New York as a standard of comparison, we conducted proportional cancer mortality (PCMR) analysis.


RESULTS
The results showed significantly increased mortality due to melanoma (PCMR = 367; 95% CI: 119, 856) and lymphoma (PCMR = 220; 95% CI: 101, 419) in males and modestly increased mortality due to kidney cancer (PCMR = 165; 95% CI: 45, 421) and brain cancer (PCMR = 190; 95% CI: 52, 485) in males and breast cancer (PCMR = 126; 95% CI: 34, 321) in females.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are similar to results from a previous IBM mortality study and support the need for a full cohort mortality analysis such as the one being planned by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Clapp
Richard W
RW
Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA. rclapp@bu.edu
Hoffman
Kate
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002273:Carcinogens; D003201:Computers; D003644:Death Certificates; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure
D002273:Carcinogens