Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): a possible cause of lung cancer mortality among nickel/copper smelter and refinery workers

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1202/0002-8894(1992)053<0317:PAHAPC>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:7278825

Verma, D K; Julian, J A; Roberts, R S; Muir, D C; Jadon, N; Shaw, D S ^[1]

---

1. Occupational Health Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

A retrospective industrial hygiene investigation was undertaken to explain the cause of a statistically significant excess lung cancer mortality observed in a subset of a large cohort of nickel workers involved in mining, smelting, and refining of nickel and copper in Ontario. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate how an industrial hygiene follow-up assessment of an epidemiologic finding can help to identify a likely cause. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) alone or in association with particulate and gaseous contaminants (e.g., SO2) were likely the causative agents of the excess lung cancer observed among the lead welders, cranemen, and arc furnace workers of the copper refinery.

• OSTI ID: 7278825
• Journal Information: American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States), Vol. 53:5; ISSN 0002-8894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LUNGS
NEOPLASMS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CARCINOGENESIS
COPPER
EPIDEMIOLOGY
NICKEL
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ONTARIO
PERSONNEL
SMELTERS
WELDING
AROMATICS
BODY
CANADA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
HYDROCARBONS
JOINING
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology