A case-control study of lung cancer at a foundry and two engine plants

Abstract

A nested case‐control study of lung cancer was conducted among workers at an iron foundry and two engine manufacturing plants whose lung cancer mortality rates were slightly higher than expected. The study included 231 lung cancer cases and 408 controls for whom complete work histories were obtained. There was no association between usual plant of employment and lung cancer mortality. The odds ratio for persons employed for 20 or more years in the foundry compared with persons employed in the engine plants was 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.55, 1.5). Long‐term employment as an engine plant worker was associated with odds ratios slightly, but not statistically significantly, below unity. In the foundry, only usual employment in the material handling departmental group and any employment in the quality control departmental group were statistically significantly directly related to lung cancer risk. However, the number of subjects so employed was small and there was no dose‐response relation between length of employment in these departmental groups and lung cancer risk. Cases were less frequently employed than were controls in engine plant machining and assembly jobs and departments. It is concluded that employment in this facility was either unrelated, or only weakly related, to lung cancer risk. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:414–421, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Occupational cancer in Britain

“…Cohort studies have identified RRs ranging from 1.5 to 2.5, PMR studies show risks ranging from 1.5 to 1.8, whereas higher risks were observed in some case–control studies (IARC, 1984, 1987). PAHs and silica have been suggested as main exposures associated with an increased risk in iron foundries, whereas PAHs, silica, chromium and nickel are implicated in steel foundries (Austin et al , 1997). …”

Seasonal and Regional Contributors of 1-Hydroxypyrene among Children near a Steel Mill

“…The data on particulate matter <10 Am in aerodynamic diameter (PM 10 ) were measured every 5 min throughout the year using h-ray absorption method. 3 Statistical Analysis. All the statistical analyses were done using the Statistical Analysis System software, version 9.1 (SAS Institute).…”

A state of the science review of the potential health hazards associated with asbestos in shielded metal arc welding rods in the United States

“…Fortunately, several studies were located that did control for smoking when assessing lung cancer risk in welders (Dunn and Weir 1968;Morabia et al 1992;Hrubec, Blair, and Vaught 1995;Lerchen, Wiggins, and Samet 1987;Benhamou, Benhamou, and Flamant 1988;Vineis et al 1988;Gerin et al 1984;Lauritsen and Hansen 1996;Burns and Swanson 1991;De Stefani et al 1996;Buiatti et al 1985;Schoenberg et al 1987;Ronco et al 1988;Jockel et al 1998;Keller and Howe 1993;Damber and Larsson 1987;Decoufle et al 1977;Levin et al 1988;Wunsch et al 1998;Pezzotto and Poletto 1999;Zahm et al 1989;Kjuus et al 1986;Matos et al 2000;Gustavsson et al 2000;Austin et al 1997), only two of which reported a statistically significant increased risk of lung cancer in welders (Lerchen, Wiggins, and Samet 1987;Keller and Howe 1993). These latter two studies did not control for co-exposure to stainless steel welding fumes.…”