Analysis of episodes of care in a perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride production facility.

Abstract

The observed to expected episodes of care experience of 652 employees at a fluorochemical (perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride) production facility was compared with 659 film plant (nonfluorochemical) employees at the same site (Decatur, AL). Episodes of care were defined by a hierarchical analysis of health claims data from 1993 through 1998. The age- and sex-adjusted expected number of episodes of care was calculated from the company's U.S. manufacturing workforce. For a priori interests, the observed to expected episodes of care ratios were comparable for fluorochemical and film plant employees for liver tumors or diseases, bladder cancer, thyroid and lipid metabolism disorders, and reproductive, pregnancy, and perinatal disorders and higher for biliary tract disorders and cystitis recurrence. Non-a priori associations among the fluorochemical plant workers included benign colon polyps, malignant colorectal tumors, and malignant melanoma.

• Authors: Geary W Olsen, Michele M Burlew, Julia C Marshall, Jean M Burris, Jeffrey H Mandel
• Journal: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine (J Occup Environ Med) Vol. 46 Issue 8 Pg. 837-46 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1076-2752 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15300136 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkanesulfonic Acids
• Caprylates
• Fluorocarbons
• perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
• Fluorides

Topics

• Adult
• Alabama (epidemiology)
• Alkanesulfonic Acids (analysis, toxicity)
• Caprylates (analysis, toxicity)
• Chemical Industry
• Episode of Care
• Female
• Fluorides (analysis, toxicity)
• Fluorocarbons (analysis, toxicity)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Diseases (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Occupational Exposure (statistics & numerical data)
• Workplace