Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers exposed to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer at a polyvinyl chloride processing plant

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700170502· OSTI ID:6721633

Hagmar, L; Akesson, B; Nielsen, J; Andersson, C; Linden, K; Attewell, R; Moeller, T ^[1]

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1. University Hospital, Lund (Sweden)

To study whether exposure to low levels of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) causes increased risk for cancer morbidity and death from ischemic heart disease, a cohort study was performed among 2,031 male workers at a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) processing plant who had been employed for at least 3 months during the period 1945-1980. An almost significantly increased total mortality (SMR = 116, 95% CI 99-136) was found. Deaths caused by violence or intoxication were significantly increased (SMR = 153, 95% CI 109-213), but not deaths from ischemic heart disease (SMR = 100, 95% CI 73-135). A significant increase in total cancer morbidity was observed (SMR = 128, 95% CI 101-161). Respiratory cancers were significantly increased (SMR = 213, 95% CI 127-346). Furthermore, six brain tumors (vs. 2.6 expected) were observed. This increase, however, was not significant (SMR = 229, 95% CI 84-498). No liver hemangiosarcoma was observed. Applying a latency period of greater than or equal to 10 years from start of employment did not change the risk patterns. There were no significant exposure-response associations between exposure estimates for VCM, asbestos, and plasticizers and cancer morbidity.

• OSTI ID: 6721633
• Journal Information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA), Journal Name: American Journal of Industrial Medicine; (USA) Vol. 17:5; ISSN AJIMD; ISSN 0271-3586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EUROPE
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
MONOMERS
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
RISK ASSESSMENT
SCANDINAVIA
SURVIVAL CURVES
SWEDEN
TOXICITY
VINYL CHLORIDE
VINYL MONOMERS
WESTERN EUROPE