A mortality study of workers exposed to insoluble forms of beryllium.

Abstract

This study investigated lung cancer and other diseases related to insoluble beryllium compounds. A cohort of 4950 workers from four US insoluble beryllium manufacturing facilities were followed through 2009. Expected deaths were calculated using local and national rates. On the basis of local rates, all-cause mortality was significantly reduced. Mortality from lung cancer (standardized mortality ratio 96.0; 95% confidence interval 80.0, 114.3) and from nonmalignant respiratory diseases was also reduced. There were no significant trends for either cause of death according to duration of employment or time since first employment. Uterine cancer among women was the only cause of death with a significantly increased standardized mortality ratio. Five of the seven women worked in office jobs. This study confirmed the lack of an increase in mortality from lung cancer and nonmalignant respiratory diseases related to insoluble beryllium compounds.

• Authors: Paolo Boffetta, Tiffani Fordyce, Jack S Mandel
• Journal: European journal of cancer prevention : the official journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP) (Eur J Cancer Prev) Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 587-93 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1473-5709 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24589746 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Beryllium

Topics

• Berylliosis (mortality)
• Beryllium (toxicity)
• Cause of Death
• Cohort Studies
• Employment
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Occupational Exposure (statistics & numerical data)
• Respiratory Tract Diseases (epidemiology)
• United States (epidemiology)
• Uterine Neoplasms (epidemiology)