Cancer mortality among printing plant workers.

A proportionate cancer mortality study was conducted among employees of the U.S. Government Printing Office. Although limited by small numbers, there was a significantly higher proportion of deaths from multiple myeloma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and colon cancer. The excess deaths from myeloma were confined to white workers in the composing room, where lead is the major occupational exposure, while deaths from leukemia occurred primarily in bindery workers who may have had exposure to benzene. Despite methodologic limitations, these findings are consistent with other epidemiologic and experimental studies suggesting that printers are at higher risk for certain cancers.