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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Petroleum solvent mortality study of Oklahoma dry cleaners. Volume 2. Final report, 1 January 1986-31 March 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6536345
The association between exposures to the primary petroleum solvents used in commercial dry-cleaning processes and various causes of death was investigated. Each commercial dry-cleaning establishment in Oklahoma was classified according to the solvent or solvents in use from 1941 to 1983, based on data from the State Dry Cleaners Board. A cohort with known solvent exposures was identified. The proportionate mortality ratios and standardized mortality ratios were determined for all major causes of death. Nearly 59% were white males, with an average exposure of 10.5 years. No excess in overall cancer mortality was found. Significant excesses were noted for mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders due to alcoholism; genitourinary system due to acute nephritis, chronic nephritis, and renal sclerosis; bone and organ movement due to arthritis and spondylitis. An excess in cancers of the respiratory system was identified with excesses in mortality due to trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer among those dying at age 65 or older. A 45% excess in proportionate mortality due to pancreatic cancer was found. Only on analysis of petroleum-solvent exposure to white males was an excess found for kidney cancer. Moderately increased incidents of skin and bone cancer were found. Volume 1 is also available.
Research Organization:
Oklahoma Univ., Oklahoma City (USA). Health Sciences Center
OSTI ID:
6536345
Report Number(s):
PB-89-129977/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English