title: Mortality of older construction and craft workers employed at department of energy (DOE) nuclear sites: follow-up through 2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed) was established in 1996 to provide occupational medicine screening examinations for construction workers who have worked at US Department of Energy nuclear sites. Workers participating in BTMed between 1998 and 2011 were followed to determine their vital status and mortality experience through December 31, 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cohort includes 18,803 BTMed participants and 2,801 deaths. Cause-specific Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on US death rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mortality was elevated for all causes, all cancers, cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung and lymphatic and hematopoietic system, mesothelioma, COPD, and asbestosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Construction workers employed at DOE sites have a significantly increased risk for occupational illnesses. Risks are associated with employment during all time periods covered including after 1980. The cancer risks closely match the cancers identified for DOE compensation from radiation exposures. Continued medical surveillance is important.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Construction Research and Training, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ringen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dement
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Eula
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bingham
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D060389:Construction Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D037041:United States Government Agencies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: DOE; construction; mortality; occupational diseases; surveillance