High‐risk notification of chromate and bichromate production workers

Abstract

A high-risk notification program is in progress for 4,862 former chromate and bichromate production workers. A previous mortality study of this cohort found a 29-fold increase in mortality for respiratory cancer. The increase was greater in black than white workers (80-fold vs. 15-fold). The cohort was compiled from Social Security Administration records. Notification was performed mainly using addresses on file with the Internal Revenue Service. At this time, 68% of the cohort has either been determined to have died or has been contacted. A description of the various steps of notification is included. This project has demonstrated that it is possible to perform high-risk notification in an economical manner even in the absence of employer personnel records or current addresses. The methodology used in this project is generalizable to other cohorts.

Communication of epidemiology study results by industry: The Dow Chemical Company approach

“…Other epidemiology study communication efforts using company records for address report current address percentages of 91% (Marsh et al, 1991), 79% (Tillett et al, 1986), 76% (Tillett et al, 1986), 71% (Collins and Conner, 1994), and 66% (Schulte et al, 1985). However, communication efforts in which company records were not used report current address percentages of only 25% (Bender et al, 1993) and 45% (Rosenman et al, 1993). Thus, industry appears to maintain a clear advantage in trying to locate former workers.…”