Hydrocarbon-induced cancer risks in oil shale processing

Conference · Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6387909

Savitz, D A; Gratt, L B; Marine, W M; Perry, B W

An estimate of occupational cancer risks due to hydrocarbon exposure during retorting, upgrading, and transportation was derived using epidemiological studies in a surrogate industry. The oil refining industry was selected as a surrogate with the goal of adjusting that workforce's risk based upon toxicologic and exposure data. Risk estimates were derived for those cancers which may be excessive in refinery workers, namely lung, stomach, kidney, brain, and skin cancer. The magnitude of health risks for these diseases was very small, with the estimated 15,000 exposed workers suffering 3.7 excess internal cancers per year and 21 excess skin cancers per year. This morbidity would be expected to produce about 3 deaths per year. In spite of considerable uncertainty regarding these figures, the conclusion that hydrocarbon-induced cancers are overshadowed by dust-related respiratory disease as an occupational health risk in the oil shale industry is warranted. The implications of these results for further health research and industrial hygiene practices are discussed.

• Research Organization: University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
• OSTI ID: 6387909
• Report Number(s): CONF-8404121-
• Journal Information: Oil Shale Symp. Proc.; (United States), Conference: 17. oil shale symposium, Golden, CO, USA, 16 Apr 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
OIL SHALES
RETORTING
PERSONNEL
NEOPLASMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HEALTH HAZARDS
MORTALITY
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
TOXICITY
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISEASES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HAZARDS
MATERIALS
SAFETY
040700* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Health & Safety
040403 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Refining