Cancer mortality among workers exposed to formaldehyde

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700050602· OSTI ID:6884146

Liebling, T; Rosenman, K D; Pastides, H; Griffith, R G; Lemeshow, S

Proportionate mortality among workers exposed to formaldehyde was analyzed among employees of a large chemical plant in Western Massachusetts. Twenty-four such decedents, all males, were identified through union records, reports of former co-workers, and a systematic review of obituaries in local newspaper. Work histories were obtained from seniority lists. Race-age-sex-adjusted proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were significantly elevated for cancer of the colon based on United States, county, and county cancer mortality proportions (PMR . 702, 424, 333, p less than or equal to .05), as were PMRs for the category buccal and pharyngeal cancer (PMR . 870, 952, 833, p less than .05). This study provides evidence of formaldehyde's carcinogenicity. These findings are at variance with a previous report of the mortality experience of workers at the same plant from an earlier period.

• Research Organization: Division of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• OSTI ID: 6884146
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN AJIMD
• 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.
ALDEHYDES
CARCINOMAS
CHEMICAL PLANTS
DISEASES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION I
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MASSACHUSETTS
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
USA