Mortality of Aluminium Reduction Plant Workers in France

Abstract

The mortality between 1950 and 1976 of 6455 French aluminium plant workers was analysed in order to assess occupational risks (especially lung cancer) associated with electrolysis, particularly with the Söderberg process. Mortality from all causes (SMR = 0.85), was lower in this cohort than in the French male population ('healthy worker effect'), and cancer mortality (SMR = 1.09) was only slightly higher. There was an excess of mortality from accidents (mainly non-occupational) in electrolysis workers (SMR = 1.38) and from cirrhosis of the liver in maintenance workers (SMR = 1.63). Among electrolysis workers, only those who had worked less than 10 years had a relative excess mortality from lung cancer (SMR = 1.94), but this did not seem to be associated with a particular electrolysis process. However a substantial underlying risk of lung cancer in Söderberg workers could not be excluded, although such a risk appeared unlikely for prebake workers.

Occupational exposures and risk of pancreatic cancer

“…Associations in wide occupational groups such as "machinery mechanics and fitters", "machine operators" and "building trades workers" are supported by previous studies [12,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. Possible responsible agents might be chlorinated solvents, used while cleaning, as well as mineral oils with PAHs and nitrosamines [40].…”

Integrating Field Analyses with Laboratory Exposures to Assess Ecosystems Health

“…Mortality from cancer in the plants was compared with that of the general population of the cities and provinces in which the aluminium plants were located. Elevated ratios were reported for lung cancer in the two Extended follow-up of one of the 11 plants studied by Mur et al (1987). Analyses by time since first or duration of employment did not indicate any trend.…”

“…However, an excess of pancreatic cancer was also seen in the pot-rooms in this plant (SMR, 1.97), as noted by Milham (1979) in a different cohort from the same plant. Mur et al (1987) reported mortality in a cohort of 6455 aluminium smelter workers who had worked for at least 1 year in one of 11 plants in France between 1950 and, during which time they were also followed up for mortality, giving a total of 113 671 person-years. The earliest date of exposure was 1907, and several of the plants used both pre-bake and Söderberg processes.…”

“…In one of the French plants, Moulin et al (2000) updated the study of Mur et al (1987) to cover mortality among 2133 male workers who had been employed in the plant for at least 1 year between 1950 and 1994. The cohort was followed up for mortality for an average of 16.5 years from 1968 to 1994, giving a total of 35 145 person-years.…”

“…Tobacco smoking habits were surveyed in workers who were still employed in 1976. The overall SMR for all causes was 0.85, based on 996 deaths, with 37 deaths from lung cancer (SMR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.85-1.48) and seven from urinary bladder cancer (SMR, 2.09; 95% CI, 0.96-3.68).In one of the French plants, Moulin et al (2000) updated the study of Mur et al (1987) to cover mortality among 2133 male workers who had been employed in the plant for at least 1 year between 1950 and 1994. The cohort was followed up for mortality for an average of 16.5 years from 1968 to 1994, giving a total of 35 145 person-years.…”