Deaths and tumors among workers grinding stainless steel

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700150107· OSTI ID:6251910

Svensson, B G; Englander, V; Akesson, B; Attewell, R; Skerfving, S; Ericson, A; Moeller, T

This study examined a cohort of 1,164 males who, during the period 1927-1981, had been employed for 3 months or more in an industry that produced objects from stainless steel. These workers were exposed to the dust of grinding materials, grinding agents, and stainless steel. From 1975 to 1980, measurements of the total dust in the workroom air have shown levels of about one mg/m3 (consisting of chromium at about 0.1 mg/m3 and nickel at about 0.05 mg/m3) during grinding and several mg/m3 (chromium at about 0.01 mg/m3 and nickel at about 0.005 mg/m3) during polishing. Before 1950, the concentrations were probably considerably higher. Compared to a local reference population, a decrease in mortality (63 observed deaths, standardized mortality (SMR) = 0.79, 95% confidence limits CL = 0.61, 1.01) took place during the 1951-1983 observation period among 318 subjects who had been employed for at least five years, allowing a latency period of at least 20 years. Mortality from cancer of the colon/rectum increased (observed deaths = 6, SMR = 2.47, CL = 0.97, 5.58). The mortality from nonmalignant pulmonary disease did not increase (SMR = 0.29, CL = 0.01, 1.81). During the observation period (1958-1983), there was no significant overall excess of tumors (observed cases = 33, standardized morbidity (SMR) = 1.09, CL = 0.76, 1.54). However, tumor morbidity of the colon/rectum (observed 11, SMR = 2.83, CL = 1.47, 5.19) significantly increased. There were no cases of respiratory cancer (expected 4.7, CL = 0, 0.21). Thus, the results indicate an increased risk of intestinal cancer.

• Research Organization: University Hospital, Lund (Sweden)
• OSTI ID: 6251910
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Vol. 15:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHROMIUM
TOXICITY
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
NEOPLASMS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
STAINLESS STEELS
GRINDING
SWEDEN
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LYMPHOMAS
METALLURGY
MORTALITY
NICKEL
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RISK ASSESSMENT
AIR POLLUTION
ALLOYS
COMMINUTION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
HIGH ALLOY STEELS
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MACHINING
METALS
POLLUTION
SCANDINAVIA
STEELS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WESTERN EUROPE
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)