Brain cancer in workers employed at a specialty chemical research facility

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2013;68(4):218-27. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2012.701248.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study evaluated unique exposures and their relationship to brain cancer mortality in employees of a specialty chemical research facility. Following an exposure assessment that concerned compounds distinct to this facility, the authors conducted a cohort mortality study of 5,284 workers to assess mortality in reference to the general population and a nested case-control study to evaluate brain cancer risk associated with specific jobs and unique chemical exposures. Four hundred eighty-six deaths, including 14 brain cancer deaths, were identified. Overall mortality was lower than expected. Brain cancer mortality was elevated (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-3.40). Exposures to 5 specific chemical categories were assessed. Exploration of work history and the specific chemical exposures did not explain the brain cancer cases. No clear occupational etiology was identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Brain Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chemical Industry*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / mortality
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Pennsylvania / epidemiology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants