Mortality from lung cancer in Ontario uranium miners.

Mortality from lung cancer was greater in Ontario uranium miners than in the general male population of Ontario (observed = 152, expected = 67.6, standardised mortality ratio 225, 95% confidence interval 191-264). Part of the excess of lung cancer may be because the proportion of men who are smokers or have smoked is greater in uranium miners than in Ontario men. Smoking does not explain the whole excess. Mortality from lung cancer in Ontario uranium miners is clearly related to exposure to short lived radon progeny. The excess relative risk of lung cancer from the same degree of exposure to short lived radon progeny is greatest five to 14 years after exposure and less subsequently. It is greater in men under the age of 55 years and less in older men. Part of the excess of lung cancer mortality in Ontario uranium miners is probably also due to exposure to arsenic that occurred earlier in gold mines. In Ontario uranium miners, the lung cancer mortality from exposure to arsenic increases as the intensity of exposure to short lived radon progeny increases. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the risk of lung cancer from exposure to arsenic is enhanced by exposure to other carcinogens. In Ontario uranium miners, the proportion of lung cancers that are small cell carcinomas is greater than in the general population. The proportion of small cell carcinomas is especially great five to 14 years after exposure to short lived radon progeny and in men who die from lung cancer at younger ages.     

Mortality from lung cancer among copper miners.

A cohort mortality study of lung cancer in 7088 copper miners was made from 1 January 1969 to 31 December 1988. There was an excess of deaths from lung cancer in the copper miners. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 147 (p < 0.01). The SMR increased with calendar period. There was a higher risk of deaths from lung cancer in the miners employed in the 1950s. Age at the start of exposure had no effect on the risk of lung cancer. The risk of death from lung cancer increased with the duration of exposure and the time since first exposure. The SMR for lung cancer was 173 in underground miners and 193 for drilling miners (both p < 0.01). These data show that exposure to dust is associated with an excess of deaths from lung cancer in copper miners whereas exposure to radiation does not seem to carry such risk.     

广西锡矿工人恶性肿瘤死亡率研究

对大厂和栗木锡矿1972～1974年的在册职工7849人进行了历史前瞻性队列研究;并通过多种监测手段对环境有害因子进行了监测。结果表明,锡矿全死因死亡率为632.7/10万,与全国居民死亡率计算的期望数比较,SMR=1.11(95％CI为1.03～1.19),恶性肿瘤死亡为全死因之首(占39.3％),其次是脑血管疾病和心脏病。恶性肿瘤死亡明显超高(SMR=1.56),且主要集中在肺癌、肝癌和鼻咽癌,其中肺癌占首位(32.1％),SMR为1.98,肝癌和鼻咽癌的SMR为1.79和3.71。监测结果进一步表明,大厂矿肺癌超高与接尘水平及其可吸入砷浓度的高低有明显的联系。     

Mortality among sulfide ore miners.

Lung cancer mortality was studied during 1965-1985 in Outokumpu township in North Karelia, where an old copper mine was located. Age-specific lung cancer death rates (1968-1985) were higher among the male population of Outokumpu than among the North Karelian male population of the same age excluding the Outokumpu district (p less than .01). Of all 106 persons who died from lung cancer during 1965-1985 in Outokumpu township, 47 were miners of the old mine, 39 of whom had worked there for at least three years and been heavily exposed to radon daughters and silica dust. The study cohort consisted of 597 miners first employed between 1954 and 1973 by a new copper mine and a zinc mine, and employed there for at least 3 years. The period of follow-up was 1954-1986. The number of person-years was 14,782. The total number of deaths was 102; the expected number was 72.8 based on the general male population and 97.8 based on the mortality of the male population of North Karelia. The excess mortality among miners was due mainly to ischemic heart disease (IHD); 44 were observed, the expected number was 22.1, based on the general male population, and the North Karelian expected number was 31.2 (p less than .05). Of the 44 miners who died from IHD, 20 were drillers or chargers exposed to nitroglycerin in dynamite charges, but also to several simultaneous stress factors including PAHs, noise, vibration, heavy work, accident risk, and working alone. Altogether 16 tumors were observed in the cohort. Ten of these were lung cancers, the expected number being 4.3. Miners who had died from lung cancer were 35-64 years old, and had entered mining work between 1954 and 1960. Five of the ten lung cancer cases came from the zinc mine (1.7 expected). Three of them were conductors of diesel-powered ore trains. The slight excess mortality from lung cancer could be explained by exposure to radon daughters and by the combined effect of silica dust and diesel exhaust gases in the zinc mine.     

Mortality among Navajo uranium miners.

OBJECTIVES. To update mortality risks for Navajo uranium miners, a retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted of 757 Navajos from the cohort of Colorado Plateau uranium miners. METHODS. Vital status was followed from 1960 to 1990. Standardized mortality ratios were estimated, with combined New Mexico and Arizona non-White mortality rates used for comparison. Cox regression models were used to evaluate exposure-response relationships. RESULTS. Elevated standardized mortality ratios were found for lung cancer (3.3), tuberculosis (2.6), and pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases (2.6). Lowered ratios were found for heart disease (0.6), circulatory disease (0.4), and liver cirrhosis (0.5). The estimated relative risk for a 5-year duration of exposure vs none was 3.7 for lung cancer, 2.1 for pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases, and 2.0 for tuberculosis. The relative risk for lung cancer was 6.9 for the midrange of cumulative exposure to radon progeny compared with the least exposed. CONCLUSIONS. Findings were consistent with those from previous studies. Twenty-three years after their last exposure to radon progeny, these light-smoking Navajo miners continue to face excess mortality risks from lung cancer and pneumoconioses and other respiratory diseases.     

Mortality and cancer incidence in Ontario glass fiber workers

BACKGROUND: In a previous cohort study of glass fiber manufacturing, we found a significant increase in lung cancer. This study extends the follow-up period. METHODS: We conducted a historical prospective study of 2557 men employed in producing glass wool. We obtained work histories, causes and dates of death, and date and site of cancer diagnoses. We computed standardized mortality and incidence ratios (SMR, SIR). RESULTS: The overall SMR for lung cancer was 163 (95% CI = 118-221). The SMR did not vary consistently by duration of employment and time since first employment. However, plant workers with >20 years' employment and >40 years since first exposure had an SMR for lung cancer of 282 (95% CI = 113-582). The SMR dropped with later date of first exposure, but the trend was non-significant. There was an unexpected overall increase in kidney cancer incidence. DISCUSSION: The increase in lung cancer is greater than in other cohorts of glass fiber workers. Since exposure data are lacking from the early years of the plant, we cannot state if the excess was due to glass fibers, other work exposures or other reasons.     

Mortality of white South African gold miners.

OBJECTIVES--This two part study aimed to determine whether there was an excess mortality generally or for some diseases among middle aged white South African gold miners on the Witwatersrand and whether the underground dust exposure of these miners contributed to the development of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or ischaemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS--A cohort of 4925 white miners in South Africa, born between 1 January 1916 and 31 December 1930 who were alive and working in the vicinity of Johannesburg on 1 January 1970, then aged between 39 and 54, was followed up for 20 years by which time 2032 had died. Most were gold miners (about 87% had worked 85% or more of their shifts in gold mines). Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated as percentages of the number of deaths observed in the cohort for a condition as stated on the death certificate divided by the number expected on the basis of concurrent mortality in the reference population (the total age specific white male population of South Africa). A case-control analysis was performed for three diseases (lung cancer, COPD, and IHD), the results of which are presented for those miners in the cohort who had spent at least 85% of their service on gold mines and had worked at least 15% of their shifts underground. RESULTS--The SMR for all causes of death was 129.6%, raised because of excess mortality due to the following causes: lung cancer (SMR = 139.8%), IHD (124.1%), COPD (189%) and cirrhosis of the liver (155.3%). Smoking was confirmed to be the main risk factor for lung cancer and COPD although cumulative dust exposure was found to increase the risk of COPD in conjunction with smoking. No significant risk of lung cancer resulted from exposure to dust. High blood pressure and smoking were found to increase the risk of IHD, but no association between IHD and the quetelet index (weight/height2) was found. CONCLUSIONS--The most significant and unexpected finding was the 30% increase in the SMR for all causes. Very little of this increase could be attributed to mining and the main factor for this was probably the adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle by these men (compared with other South African white men) particularly smoking (86% were smokers) and alcohol consumption.     

钨矿作业工人死因分析

目的 探讨危害钨矿作业工人健康的主要死因并分析他们与累积粉尘接触量之间的关系.方法 以湖南、江西两省6个钨矿1970至1972年之间至少工作1年以上的全部在册职工建立研究队列,随访至2003年底,以全国城市居民年龄别死亡率为参照计算标化死亡比(SMR),采用趋势分析探讨累积粉尘接触量与钨矿作业主要死亡疾病的关系.结果 队列共18 027人,到2003年底,共随访470 722.21人年,死亡6135人,总死亡率为13.03‰.钨矿作业工人死亡的主要疾病按死亡率依次为心血管疾病(3.54‰)、呼吸系统疾病(2.79‰)、恶性肿瘤(2.14‰)和肺结核(1.87‰),这4种疾病死亡人数约占总死亡人数的79.32‰.全死因死亡率(13.03‰)明显高于全国平均水平(SMR=1.19,95%CI:1.16～1.22).死亡率明显升高的疾病为尘肺、肺结核、鼻咽癌、传染病、呼吸系统疾病、心血管疾病和肝癌,SMR分别为79.11,4.11,2.51,2.46,2.00,1.85和1.30.全死因、尘肺、肺结核、呼吸系统疾病和心血管疾病的.SMR随累积接尘量升高有明显的上升趋势,差异有统计学意义(P《0.01).结论 钨矿作业场所粉尘明显危害接尘工人健康,累积粉尘接触量与全死因、肺结核、呼吸系统疾病(尘肺)、心血管疾病标化死亡比之间存在明显的剂量-反应关系.     

Mortality in gold and coal miners in Western Australia with special reference to lung cancer.

Cohorts of 1974 gold miners and 213 coal miners in Western Australia surveyed for respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, occupational history and radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis have been followed up for 13-14 years. Overall, neither group had a significantly higher mortality than expected from the experience of Western Australian men in general. Lung cancer mortality was relatively high in the gold miners (59 deaths observed, 40.8 expected) but weakly and inconclusively related to the extent of their underground mining experience. Cigarette smoking may explain the excess of lung cancer in the gold miners because the prevalence of the habit in the latter (66.3%) was higher than in the coal miners (58.7%) or in other men in Western Australia (53.2%). Radiographic evidence of silicosis was present in 21.7% of the gold miners but did not appear to have contributed substantially to their mortality. The coal miners showed a lower than expected rate of lung cancer but an excess of deaths from all other forms of cancer (11 observed, 5.6 expected). This excess was not attributable to any one cancer site and cannot be explained readily.     

Mortality in gold and coal miners in Western Australia with special reference to lung cancer.

Cohorts of 1974 gold miners and 213 coal miners in Western Australia surveyed for respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, occupational history and radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis have been followed up for 13-14 years. Overall, neither group had a significantly higher mortality than expected from the experience of Western Australian men in general. Lung cancer mortality was relatively high in the gold miners (59 deaths observed, 40.8 expected) but weakly and inconclusively related to the extent of their underground mining experience. Cigarette smoking may explain the excess of lung cancer in the gold miners because the prevalence of the habit in the latter (66.3%) was higher than in the coal miners (58.7%) or in other men in Western Australia (53.2%). Radiographic evidence of silicosis was present in 21.7% of the gold miners but did not appear to have contributed substantially to their mortality. The coal miners showed a lower than expected rate of lung cancer but an excess of deaths from all other forms of cancer (11 observed, 5.6 expected). This excess was not attributable to any one cancer site and cannot be explained readily.     

Mortality from stomach cancer in United States cement plant and quarry workers, 1950-80.

In 1978 a study of the mortality of United States cement plant and quarry workers was initiated. The vital status of a cohort of 5292 men who had been employed for at least five years in a cement plant between 1950 and 1980 was traced to 1 January 1980. The mortality experience was evaluated for 4231 white men for whom complete work histories and demographic information were available. Deaths from stomach cancer were significantly increased during 1965-9 but not over the entire follow up period (1950-80). Additionally, stomach cancer mortality was not significantly associated with tenure under separate control for age at follow up, latency, nativity, or year of birth. Evidence from this and other epidemiological studies has not confirmed an association between the constituents of cement plant dust exposure and death from stomach cancer.     

Mortality among lead-zinc miners in Val Seriana

The mortality experience of 1392 lead-zinc-silver miners (Gorno, Northern Italy) employed in the period 1/1/1950-31/12/1980 and followed-up to 31/12/1986 was examined. Two separate estimates of the radon exposure level are available: 0.60 and 0.36 working levels respectively. The silica exposure level was not assessed. Vital status was ascertained for 95.6% of the cohort members and their mortality was compared with expected deaths based on national rates. Significant excess mortality from esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, respiratory tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and deaths from external causes was found among underground miners. Surface workers show significantly increased mortality from liver and bile ducts cancer, hepatic cirrhosis, respiratory tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. Based on the 16.4 excess lung cancer cases among underground miners and their cumulative radon exposure, an attributable risk estimate ranging from 9.78 and 16.31 cases per million person-years and WLM (Working Level Month) was calculated.     

Aluminum in the lungs of Ontario hardrock miners

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of aluminum in the autopsied lungs of eight hardrock miners. These miners had inhaled McIntyre Powder (a mixture of aluminum and aluminum oxide) as a prophylaxis against silicosis. The study involved chemical analysis of lungs, where each whole lung was divided horizontally into three sections and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace. The grand mean level of aluminum was found to be 476.4?µg/g of dry tissue, which is similar in the range reported for occupationally exposed groups. The effect of smoking was also examined and found to be unrelated. This study provides an estimate of retained aluminum in the lungs of Ontario hardrock miners as a result of occupational exposure to hardrock mining environment and inhalation of McIntyre Powder.     

Mortality of British coal miners in 1961

Liddell, F. D. K. (1973).Brit. J. industr. Med.,30, 15-24. Mortality of British coal miners in 1961. In an earlier enquiry, a sizeable proportion of deaths officially ascribed to coalmining occupations was shown to have been in men who had worked in the industry but not in jobs specific to coalmining, or who had left the mines and taken up other employment. This led to overstatement of mortality among miners, and particularly among face workers.

A new coding of occupations was introduced in 1960, and the present investigation was concerned with all 5 362 men aged 20 to 64 who died in 1961 and were recorded as having last worked in a coalmining occupation or for the National Coal Board. The occupation at the time of last employment was determined from colliery records or after special enquiry by medical officers of health, and again was found to be at considerable variance with that on the death certificate. `Promotion' into coalmining occupations existed in all coalfields and depended on age at death and year of last appearance at work. `Promotion' to the face was particularly marked; however, more men had been working in the industry than were recorded as in specifically coalmining occupations. The effect of retirement from the coalface to other mining work was investigated.

In occupied miners underground, mortality was less than in all occupied and retired males, substantially so at the face. Miners generally had high rates of deaths from accidents and pneumoconiosis, and low rates for lung cancer. For most other causes, face workers had very low rates, while other underground workers and surface workers had rates below and above the national rates for occupied and retired males. Death rates were higher in Scotland than in the other British coalfields.

     

Mortality in miners and millers of crocidolite in Western Australia.

It is known that 6505 men and 411 women were employed in the mining and milling of crocidolite at Wittenoom in the Pilbara region of Western Australia between 1943 and 1966. Employment was usually brief (median duration four months) and exposure intense (median estimated cumulative exposure 6 fibres/cc years). The vital status of 73% of the men and 58% of the women employed in the industry was known at 31 December 1980, providing 95 264 person-years of follow up with 820 deaths in men and 4914 person-years with 23 deaths in women. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) for all causes in men was 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.43 to 1.64). Statistically significant excess death rates were observed in men for neoplasms, particularly malignant mesothelioma (32 deaths), neoplasms of the trachea, bronchus, and lung (SMR 2.64), and neoplasms of the stomach (SMR 1.90); respiratory diseases, particularly pneumoconiosis (SMR 25.5); infections, particularly tuberculosis (SMR 4.09); mental disorders particularly alcoholism (SMR 4.87); digestive diseases, particularly peptic ulceration (SMR 2.46) and cirrhosis of the liver (SMR 3.94); and injuries and poisonings, particularly non-transport accidents (SMR 2.36). The excess mortality from pneumoconiosis, malignant mesothelioma, and respiratory cancers, but not stomach neoplasms, was dependent on time since first exposure and cumulative exposure. There was no increase in mortality from laryngeal cancer (SMR 1.09) or neoplasms other than those listed. The SMR for all causes in women was 1.47 (95% confidence interval 0.98-2.21) and for neoplasms 1.99; there was one death from malignant pleural mesothelioma.     

井下作业工人胃部疾患情况分析

目的了解煤矿职工的总体健康状况。方法对胃部疾患的患病情况进行统计学处理。结果井下工人胃部疾患、慢性胃炎、胃及十二指肠溃疡的患病率均明显高于地面人员,统计学分析差异有显著性。井下工人慢性胃炎、胃及十二指肠溃疡的患病率随工龄增长而升高,差异有显著性。结论煤矿井下作业工人胃部疾患患病率偏高可能与高危作业、作业环境差、吸烟饮酒、三班制等因素有关。     

Mortality analyses for rungsten miners]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mortality from main causes of death in 6 tungsten miners and explore the effects of cumulative dust exposure on standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) from main causes. METHODS: A cohort of 18027 workers registered in the employment record from 6 tungsten mines located in Hunan and Jiangxi province and working for at least 1 year was identified for this study. SMRs were calculated based on Chinese national mortality. Trend analysis was used to analyze the effect of cumulative dust exposure on SMRs of main causes of death. RESULTS: The cohort was followed up from 1972 to 2003 with an accumulative of 470 722.21 person-years. A total of 6135 workers died, and the mortality was 13.03 per thousand. Cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, malignant neoplasm and pulmonary tuberculosis accounted for 79.32% of all death. The mortalities of all-causes, pneumoconiosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, infectious disease, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and liver cancer were found to be significantly higher than the national average level. Positive dose-response relationship between SMRs and cumulative dust exposure was observed in all-causes, pneumoconiosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mortality from main causes of death for the dust-exposed workers are higher than that for non dust-exposed workers. Positive dose-response relationships are observed between cumulative dust exposure and SMRs from all-causes, respiratory disease (including silicosis), pulmonary tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease.     

Cold provocation test results from a 1985 survey of hard-rock miners in Ontario

A total of 143 miners, 6 ex-miners, and 42 referents from five mines in northern Ontario were examined with a cold provocation test. The skin temperatures, measured by thermocouples at the tips of the fingers and thumbs were recorded at 5-s intervals throughout the immersion in cold water (10 degrees C) for 10 min and during the recovery period. The finger skin temperature was followed until 99% recovery had occurred as compared to the starting temperature. For the referents and the vibration-exposed subjects, the results by separate stage of the Taylor-Pelmear scale for hand-arm vibration syndrome were compared. There were statistically significant differences in the mean finger temperature at the 50, 75, 90, and 95% recovery times between stages 0, 0T/0N, and stages 1 through 3 combined, as well as significant differences between stages 1, 2, and 3. The mean temperature at 10 min and the mean hyperemia temperature for eight fingers combined were compared between the miners and referents. There were significant differences in the mean temperature at 10 min and in the hyperemia temperature between the referents and miners in stage 0T/0N, as well as between the referents and the miners in stages 1 through 3 combined. For the worst finger (defined as that with the lowest temperature at 10 min) there was an increasing trend towards a lower hyperemia temperature and delay in recovery time from stage 0 to stages 2 and 3 combined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)