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Title: Mortality among workers exposed to cutting fluids and abrasives: Bearing Plant 1

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6755012

A survey of mortality among United Automobile Union workers exposed to cutting fluids and abrasives was conducted. The cohort consisted of all hourly employees with 10 or more years of service who died from January 1, 1969 to July 31, 1982. A total of 702 death certificates and job histories of 768 employees were reviewed. Data was obtained from company and union records. Standardized proportional mortality ratios (PMR) were computed. Significant excesses of mortality from rectal cancer (PMR at 3.04), stomach cancer (PMR at 1.98), and stroke (PMR at 1.35) were found. A 25% elevation in mortality for lung cancer (PMR at 1.25) occurred among white males. Among females employed as grinders, the PMR for lung cancer was 2.8. A statistically significant correlation between stomach cancer and grinding exposure occurred. The grinding exposures consisted primarily of aerosols from soluble oil and oil-based metal working fluids. The authors note that the pattern of stomach cancer suggests a correlation with water-based cutting fluids.

Research Organization:
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Washington, DC
OSTI ID:
6755012
Report Number(s):
PB-87-125969/XAB
Resource Relation:
Other Information: See also PB--86-221835
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English