Epidemiologic study of cancer mortality among Israeli asphalt workers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We describe the results of a cancer mortality study among asphalt workers in Israel.

METHODS:

Personal identifiers and employment histories of 2,176 workers were extracted from company records.

RESULTS:

Mortality from all malignant neoplasms was significantly reduced in the whole cohort (SMR 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.83). SMR for lung cancer was elevated in workers exposed to bitumen (SMR 1.05, 95% CI 0.62-1.66). No significant elevation or reduction in mortality was observed in relation to a specific site. SMRs for lung cancer was higher among ever exposed to bitumen than among unexposed. There was no association between lung cancer risk and estimated exposure to bitumen fume, and no dose-response was apparent.

CONCLUSIONS:

While the results of this cohort study indicate a slightly increased SMR for lung cancer, it did not produce evidence of a causal link between lung cancer and exposure to bitumen fume.

• Authors: Judith Shaham, Yael Knecht, Igor Burstyn, Hans Kromhout, Gilles Ferro, Timo Partanen, Paolo Boffetta
• Journal: American journal of industrial medicine (Am J Ind Med) Vol. 43 Issue 1 Pg. 69-78 (Jan 2003) ISSN: 0271-3586 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12494423 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Hydrocarbons
• asphalt

Topics

• Adult
• Causality
• Cause of Death
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocarbons
• Israel (epidemiology)
• Lung Neoplasms (mortality)
• Male
• Models, Statistical
• Neoplasms (mortality)
• Occupational Diseases (mortality)
• Poisson Distribution