Faculty Collaboration Database

The Drake Health Registry Study: cause-specific mortality experience of workers potentially exposed to beta-naphthylamine. Am J Ind Med 2003 Sep;44(3):282-90

Date

08/21/2003

Pubmed ID

12929148

DOI

10.1002/ajim.10268

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0042697440 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   16 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cause-specific mortality experience of an occupational cohort with probable past exposure to beta-naphythylamine (BNA).

METHODS: Subjects were 374 male and 26 female workers employed at a Pennsylvania chemical plant that produced or used beta-naphthylamine (BNA) between 1940 and 1981. Vital status through 1998 was determined for 97.5% of the cohort and cause of death for 100% of 79 deaths. Limited industrial hygiene data and reports from former employees were used to categorize workers as high, medium, or low risk for BNA exposure. Statistical analyses included US and local county-based standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).

RESULTS: We observed statistically significantly elevated county rate-based SMRs for all causes combined (SMR = 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56-2.49), all malignant neoplasms combined (28 deaths, SMR = 3.08, 95% CI = 2.05-4.46), respiratory system cancer (12 deaths, SMR = 3.91, 95% CI = 2.02-6.83), and bladder cancer (four deaths, SMR = 16.83, 95% CI = 4.59-43.1). Three bladder cancer cases were classified as high risk (SMR = 26.79, 95% CI = 5.53-78.29). Mortality risks were also elevated for most other malignant and non-malignant cause of death categories examined.

CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cancer risk remains highly elevated among Drake/Kilsdonk workers and appears to be causally related to past BNA exposure. While lifestyle and behavioral risk factors may explain some of the mortality excesses for non-urological cancers, the possibility remains that BNA exposure may have also played a role in these and other observed cancer excesses.

Author List

Cassidy LD, Youk AO, Marsh GM

Author

Laura Cassidy PhD Associate Dean, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

2-Naphthylamine
Adult
Carcinogens
Cause of Death
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Occupational Exposure
Pennsylvania
Registries
Risk Factors
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms