Health hazard evaluation report HETA 81-025-1668, Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association, Washington, DC

Technical Report · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5101485

London, M; Rinsky, R

Following a request by the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association, a proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) study of union members was conducted. Death certificates were used to classify cause of death; usual occupation was determined from union records. White United States males were the comparison group. Statistically significant PMRs for all deaths included a deficit of diseases of the circulatory system, PMR-0.90, and of the nervous system, PMR-0.78, and an excess of death from all cancers, PMR-1.36. Cancers in significant excess included cancer of the digestive organs, particularly the stomach; respiratory system; brain and nervous system; and other and unspecified sites. Respiratory-system cancers were primarily located in the lung, as well as trachea and bronchus. A proportionate cancer mortality study continued to indicate a significant excess for cancer of the respiratory system, PMR-1.17. When examined by occupation, only cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung was significantly associated with occupation, that of plasterer. Six cases of cancer of the pleura, and two of the peritoneum were identified. The authors conclude that asbestos exposure may have contributed to the excess respiratory cancer mortality among plasterers. Current asbestos exposure would occur only in rehabilitation work and appropriate precautions should be taken.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5101485
• Report Number(s): PB-86-223039/XAB; HETA-81-025-1668
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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