ABSTRACT
An examination of the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with occupation, by industrial branch and job title, was undertaken in a nationwide case-referent study in Finland. The results are based on job history information from the next-of-kin of 625 incident cases of primary malignant exocrinic pancreatic neoplasms, and of 1,700 cancer referents (stomach, colon, and rectum). All cases and referents were between 40 and 74 years at diagnosis. The diagnoses were made in 1984-87, and both cases and referents were known to be dead by April 1, 1990. The source of the cases and referents was the Finnish Cancer Registry. Increases in risk of pancreatic cancer were suggested for a small number of industrial branches and job titles, including stone mining (odds ratio 3.7), cement and building materials (11.1), pharmacists and sales associates in pharmacies (12.9), male wood machinists (4.1), male gardeners (6.7), female textile workers (5.4), and male transport inspectors and supervisors (9.4). The exposures potentially implicated are discussed. In agreement with the overall results of epidemiologic studies conducted elsewhere, direct occupational determinants probably do not account for a substantial share of the etiology of pancreatic cancer, at least in conditions resembling Finnish working environments some 15-40 years ago.
Subject(s)
Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Pancreatic Neoplasms/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Colonic Neoplasms/epidemiology , Female , Finland/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations/statistics & numerical data , Odds Ratio , Rectal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The mortality of a cohort of 168 pesticide applicators employed in the disinfestation service of the city of Rome for an average of 20 years is examined. Exposure data were abstracted from work records, and causes of death for the 42 workers who had died, were obtained from death certificates. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for specific causes of death were computed on the basis of provincial mortality rates. An excess in mortality from cancer of the liver and bile ducts with four cases observed and 0.7 expected (SMR = 571, 95% confidence interval (CI): 154-1463) was found. Increased risk for other cancers was also observed, but the SMR were not statistically different from unity. An increased risk of liver cancer occurs in those exposed to organochlorine pesticides between 1960 and 1965.
Subject(s)
Mortality , Occupational Exposure , Pesticides , Population Surveillance , Urban Population , Bile Duct Neoplasms/chemically induced , Bile Duct Neoplasms/mortality , Cause of Death , Cohort Studies , Confidence Intervals , Death Certificates , Humans , Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated , Insecticides/adverse effects , Liver Neoplasms/chemically induced , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Male , Pesticides/adverse effects , Rome/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The mortality of a cohort of 2310 male workers who obtained a licence to handle pesticides in the period 1973-1979 in the province of Rome was investigated. The cohort contributed 26,846 person-years of exposure. The vital status of the cohort was determined up to the end of 1988. The causes of death of the 207 who had died were ascertained from death certificates. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were computed using both the provincial and the national mortality rates. The two methods yielded very similar results. Using the national rates, the SMR for all causes was 56 (95% confidence interval (CI) : 45.3-59.8), for cardiovascular diseases 47 (95% CI : 37.1-59.1), and for all cancers 72 (95% CI : 57.8-89.3). A statistically significant excess was noted for brain cancer (SMR = 270, 95% CI : 108.6-556.9). In addition, the cohort experienced statistically significant lower lung cancer mortality (SMR = 57, 95% CI : 35.6-80.0).
