Study of cancer incidence among 8530 male workers in eight Norwegian plants producing ferrosilicon and silicon metal.

Abstract

Objectives-To examine the association between cancer incidence, in particular incidence of lung cancer, and duration of work among employees in eight Norwegian plants producing ferrosilicon and silicon metal. Results-A total of 832 cases of cancer were observed against 786 expected (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 1.06). Among the furnace workers an increased incidence of lung cancer (SIR 1.57) and testicular cancer (SIR 2.30) was found. Internal comparisons of rates by Poisson regression analysis among the rural furnace workers showed a positive trend between incidence of lung cancer and duration of work of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00 to 1.10)/work-year. Excess cases of prostate and kidney cancer were found among blue collar nonfurnace workers, in particular among the mechanics. Conclusion-The results suggest associations between furnace work and lung and testicular cancer, and between nonfurnace work and prostate cancer. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:625-631)

The Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of Inorganic Manganese Compounds: A Synthesis of The Evidence

“…After the first 5 yr of active service, while the cancer incidence was numerically lower among the furnace workers, a marked decrease in nonfurnace workers was noted for the person-years of all remaining periods of active employment (SIR 0.24; 95% CI 0.07-0.61). This result was not explained by Hobbesland et al (1999), who concluded that the study had not identified any causal factors and that the role of Mn remained unclear. Kjuus et al (1986) investigated total mortality and cancer incidence during et al 1996) Cohort study investigating mortality of glassworkers exposed to Mn and other metals in 11 parishes in a glass-producing area of Sweden.…”

“…In a further cohort study by Hobbesland et al (1999) on the same population, associations between cancer incidence and duration of work were investigated. The cohort consisted of 6363 men first employed during 1933-1991 for at least 6 mo.…”

“…The study was carried out on workers from three of the four plants studies by Hobbesland et al (1996) and Hobbesland et al (1999). Workers were coexposed to coke, quartz, and limestone dust, PAHs, and asbestos.…”

“…Hobbesland et al (1999) found an association between workers employed long-term (>20 yr) or before 1953 in the FeMn/SiMn industry and increased cancer incidence. Further investigation by the same authors found that an increased incidence of all cancers was associated with furnace workers employed for >20 yr, whereas nonfurnace workers employed for >5 yr were found to have a decreased incidence of all cancers.…”

Testicular cancer among Swedish pulp and paper workers

“…Zhang et al [1995] have found an increased risk (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6) for testicular cancer among workers exposed to extreme temperatures, i.e., exceeding 808F (278C) or less than 608F (168C). A study of ferrosilicon workers exposed to high temperatures showed an increased risk for testicular cancer, which was not observed among other workers in the same plant [Hobbesland et al, 1999]. However, the hypothesis of an increased risk due to elevated temperature has not been supported by other studies [Karagas et al, 1989;UK Testicular Cancer Study Group, 1994].…”