Mortality at an automotive stamping and assembly complex

Abstract

Mortality among workers with 2 or more years employment at an automotive stamping and assembly complex was analyzed using standardized mortality ratio (SMR), proportional mortality ratio (PMR), and mortality odds ratio (MOR) methods. The stamping plant all-cause SMR was considerably less than expected (for white men, SMR = 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54, 0.79; for black men, SMR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.45, 1.13), indicating a strong "healthy worker effect." However, six stomach cancer deaths produced an SMR of 4.4 (95% CI = 1.62, 9.6) and a PMR of 6.8 (95% CI = 2.5, 15). Based on small numbers of cases, stomach cancer risk increased with duration in stamping and tool and die departments where exposures included drawing compound and other metalworking fluids. Stamping plant lung cancer mortality was elevated among production welders (MOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2, 6.3), and increased with duration. Welding was performed on sheet metal sometimes coated with drawing compound, primer, or epoxy resin adhesive. As was observed for the stamping plant, the all-cause SMR for the two assembly plants was unusually low (for white men, SMR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.56, 0.73; for black men, SMR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.43, 0.75). The lung cancer SMR was not elevated but the MOR was (MOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.4) and increased with assembly plant duration (MOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.02, 3.1, at mean duration of cases). In the assembly plants, paint oven stack emissions had been reintroduced into the plant by the ventilation system.

Mortality among workers exposed to cutting oil mist: Update of previous reports

“…Mortality from respiratory cancer was not elevated in the previous followup of this cohort [Decou¯e Â, 1976[Decou¯e Â, , 1978 and ®ndings from other studies have been inconsistent [Coggon et al, 1984;Siemiatycki et al, 1987;Eisen et al, 1992;Tolbert et al, 1992;Acquavella et al, 1993;Delzell et al, 1993;Rotimi et al, 1993;Park et al, 1994]. In a recent study by Schroeder et al [1997], exposure to machining¯uids was not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer mortality in automotive workers.…”

“…In the ®rst follow-up of this cohort, excess mortality due to stomach cancer was found among white men employed for 5 or more years in jobs involving heavy exposure to oil mists [Decou¯e Â, 1978] and a number of other studies suggested that workers exposed to cutting oils may be at increased risk for this disease [Mallin et al, 1986;Park et al, 1988Park et al, , 1994Park et al, , 1996Silverstein et al, 1988;Rotimi et al, 1993]. Some studies suggested that grinding operations, which can entail exposure to either soluble oil-based or ethanolamine-based¯uids, may increase the risk of stomach cancer.…”

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

“…Due to inadequate smoking information, the vast majority of the epidemiology studies evaluating lung cancer risk in welders were not able to sufficiently control for smoking (Hansen, Lauritsen, and Skytthe 1996;Steenland, Beaumont, and Elliot 1991;Danielsen, Langard, and Andersen 1996;Moulin et al 1993;Andersen 1998, 2000;Hull et al 1989;Simonato et al 1991;Steenland 2002;Tola et al 1988;Moulin 1997;Danielsen, Langard, and Andersen 1993;Newhouse, Oakes, and Woolley 1985;Weiss 1980, 1981;Becker, Chang-Claude, and Frentzel-Beyme 1991;Milham 1985;Milne et al 1983;Andersen et al 1999;Becker 1999;Fletcher and Ades 1984;Polednak 1981;Puntoni et al 2001;Melkild et al 1989;Menck and Henderson 1976;Ambroise, Wild, and Moulin 2006;Stern, Sweeney, and Ward 1997;de Silva et al 1999;Park, Krebs, and Mirer 1994;Finkelstein 1995;Milham 1997;Burnett, Maurer, and Dosemeci 1997;Firth et al 1993). This introduces a significant bias as it has been well documented that welders tend to smoke more than the general population (Dunn, Linden, and Breslow 1960;Hull et al 1989;Steenland 2002;Danielsen, Langard, and Andersen 1993;Hunnicut, Cracovaner, and Myles 1964;Office of Population and Censu...…”

Mortality in the Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Industry

“…14 A study of vehicle assembly and metal stamping workers observed all-cause SMRs below 70 cohortwide. 15 We believe the SMRs observed in this investigation are a matter of concern.…”

“…22,23 The other published study found a facility-wide deficit in lung cancer but increases associated with welding, primarily resistance welding in the assembly of the car body. 15 Further analysis by exposure segment, latency, and duration of exposure are clearly warranted, and two such projects are underway in the industry. We note that these studies will be unable to detect a more ubiquitous exposure such as fine particle pollution from re-entrained process exhaust.…”