Mortality of iron foundry workers: I. overall findings
Article Abstract:
Foundry workers are exposed to a unique collection of environmental challenges, including noise, heat, vibration, organic and inorganic chemical dusts, residues and aerosols, gases, acids and other pollutants. A combination of these exposures form the basis of the mortality studies reported. A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted among foundry workers. (This is the identification and study of a discrete matched, group of persons at an interval in the past and an analysis of their subsequent mortality experience.) The workers were employed in foundry of an automobile company. The study group consisted of 8,147 men and 627 women, all hourly workers, who had been employed in a particular type of iron foundry for at least 6 months between 1950 and 1979. The mortality experience was reviewed for the 35-year interval from l950 to 1984. Demographic data was obtained for each participant from employment, social security, military and school records, and from any other reliable source. Because the size of the female cohort was insufficient to permit appropriate statistical evaluation, the data presented was based only on male workers. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was used to quantify the mortality data and was determined by multiplying the ratio of observed deaths to expected deaths by 100. The number of white workers was twice that of nonwhite workers, however, the mortality of nonwhite workers was double that of white workers. The overall SMR for all causes was 95 based on 836 observed deaths. The SMRs for all identifiable causes of death are detailed. The role of smoking in lung cancer was not clear based on the available data, but indirect measures of smoking suggested that a large number of the excess deaths from lung cancer could be ascribed to smoking. Lung cancer and ischemic heart disease mortality were significantly increased in nonwhite males. SMRs were elevated, for all males, from cancers of the lung and stomach, emphysema and cerebrovascular disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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Mortality patterns among workers exposed to acrylamide
Article Abstract:
Studies have suggested that there are cancer-causing properties in acrylamides (substances necessary for the manufacture of water-soluble polymers used in water treatment systems). Workers engaged in mining, paper production and sugar processing may be exposed to acrylamides. A study was conducted to assess patterns of illness and death between 1925 and 1983 among 8,854 workers, of whom 2,293 were exposed to this substance. The findings indicate that there was no significant increase in deaths due to cancer in the various body organs reviewed during the analysis of medical case studies. This study does not support the concept that acrylamide causes cancer in humans.
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1989
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A study of video display terminal workers
Article Abstract:
Video display terminal (VDT) workers seem to enjoy their jobs more than workers who use paper records. The installation of VDTs must be done with the physical limitations of the workers who will be using them.
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1983
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