Objectives: The aim of this study was to update a cohort of Vermont talc workers to include 37 additional years of follow-up time.
Methods: Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for 70+ causes of death. US population mortality rates were used as reference.
Results: All-cause mortality was 30% higher than the US population (SMR 133.4, 95% CI, 119.7 to 148.3). Significant elevations occurred in nonmalignant respiratory disease (NMRD) (SMR 273.0, 95% CI, 210.2 to 348.6) and other nonmalignant respiratory disease (ONMRD) (SMR 413.1, 95% CI, 287.7 to 574.5). ONMRD was elevated across all length of employment categories and a test for linear trend was significant (P = 0.007).
Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that excess deaths among Vermont talc workers are due largely to excess mortality from NMRD; there is no evidence of increased risk of respiratory cancer.