Comparative analysis of oncological morbidity in the population of an industrial city and workers of a metallurgical plant

Analytical epidemiology techniques were used to study the malignant neoplasms prevalence in the population of Magnitogorsk (400,000), and among the workers engaged in the Magnitogorsk metallurgical plant (64,000 workers). Revealed was that the malignant neoplasms related morbidity rate was 1.6 higher in men and 3.2 higher in women among the plant workers as compared with the city population in general. The cancer risk factors were predominantly occupational ones, e. i. the major industrial carcinogens--benzopyrene in tars and carbon-black; benzol, chromium and nickel in the dust; the carcinogenesis modifying substances--nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, phenols, iron oxides, lead and its non-organic compounds, high temperatures. The data received can be used in further studies and elaboration of primary preventive measures.