Lung cancer mortality in arsenic-exposed workers from a cadmium recovery plant.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that arsenic is a late-stage human lung carcinogen.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate lung cancer risks in a cohort of cadmium recovery workers in relation to period from ceasing exposure to arsenic.


METHODS
The mortality experience (1940-2001) of a cohort of 625 male workers from a US cadmium recovery plant was compared with expectations based on US national mortality rates.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) negative trend in lung cancer standardized mortality ratios in relation to period from ceasing arsenic exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that arsenic is a late-stage human carcinogen.
Sorahan
Tom
T
Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. t.m.Sorahan@bham.ac.uk