Cancer mortality among northern Georgia carpet and textile workers

Proportionate cancer mortality was analyzed among white male carpet and textile workers in five northwest Georgia counties for the years 1970-1984. Compared with other Georgians, carpet and textile workers had higher proportions of lymphocytic leukemia (proportionate cancer mortality ratio [PCMR] = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4-5.4]) and testicular cancer (PCMR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.0-7.5). The excess mortality from lymphocytic leukemia was even higher when the analysis was limited to workers deemed most likely to work directly in production areas (PCMR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7-8.7). Further studies are needed to determine if the observed excesses are the result of workplace exposures.