Mortality among men occupationally exposed to phosgene in 1943-1945

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(80)90147-4· OSTI ID:6783433

Polednak, A P

Mortality and causes of death as reported on death certificates were described among white male workers exposed to phosgene in 1943 to 1945 at a uranium-processing plant in Tennessee. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated by using death rates for United States white males. As of 1974, SMRs for all causes and for various selected causes were similar in 699 chemical workers chronically exposed to low levels of phosgene (and to daily episodes of levels above 1 ppM) and in 9352 controls who worked at the same plant. SMRs for diseases of the respiratory system were 78 and 113 in the chemical workers and controls, respectively. A group of 106 male chemical and other workers was acutely exposed to higher levels of phosgene (i.e., above 50 ppM, based on clinical symptoms), and 25 had X-ray evidence of acute pneumonitis. Among the 106 men, one death from pulmonary edema due to phosgene poisoning occurred less than 24 hr after exposure, and a total of 30 deaths occurred as of 1974 (SMR = 113); there were no deaths from lung cancer, but three deaths (vs 1.37 expected) were due to respiratory diseases. Further follow-up of these groups is needed, including data on morbidity as well as mortality.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Associated Univ., TN
• OSTI ID: 6783433
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 22:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
PERSONNEL
MORTALITY
PHOSGENE
HEALTH HAZARDS
ACUTE EXPOSURE
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
HAZARDS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)