Asbestos and gastrointestinal cancer

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · West. J. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6370525

Morgan, R W; Foliart, D E; Wong, O

Exposure to asbestos is among several factors cited as possible causes of esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer. More than 45 published studies have presented mortality data on asbestos-exposed workers. For each cohort, the authors listed the observed and expected rates of deaths from types of gastrointestinal cancer based on the latest published follow-up. Summary standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were then derived. Finally, summary SMRs were calculated for total gastrointestinal tract cancer for three occupational groups: asbestos factory workers, insulators/shipyard workers and asbestos miners. Statistically significant elevations in summary SMRs were found for esophageal, stomach and total gastrointestinal tract cancer in all asbestos-exposed workers. Esophageal cancer summary SMR remained significantly elevated when data were reanalyzed to include only those cohorts with death certificate diagnoses for cause of observed deaths. However, summary SMRs were not statistically significant for stomach and total gastrointestinal tract cancer after reanalysis. Summary SMRs by occupational group showed a significant elevation for total gastrointestinal cancer in insulators/shipyard workers. The elevation was not significant after reanalysis. 59 references, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Environmental Health Associates, Inc., Oakland, CA
• OSTI ID: 6370525
• Journal Information: West. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: West. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 143:1; ISSN WJMDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASBESTOS
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
EPIDEMIOLOGY
ETIOLOGY
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
MINING
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
THERMAL INSULATION