Mortality Experience at a Hydrometallurgical Nickel Refinery in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta between 1954 and 1984

The mortality experience of 716 male hydrometallurgical nickelrefinery employees who worked at Sherritt Gordon Limited inFort Saskatchewan, Alberta for at least 12 continuous monthsduring the years 1954 to 1978 was examined. Mortality ascertainmentwas obtained utilizing the Canadian Mortality Data Base maintainedby Statistics Canada and covered the years 1954 through 1984.Cause-specific mortality analyses were accomplished using male,age and calendar-year adjusted death rates for Canada and theprovince of Alberta. Total mortality was significantly belowexpectation (27 observed vs. 47 expected). Statistically significantfewer observed deaths were found for circulatory disease whilemultiple myeloma demonstrated a statistically significant increaseof observed deaths. No deaths due to nasal cavity or paranasalsinus cancer were detected. Only one lung cancer death was foundwith three deaths expected (SMR 33). No association was foundin this study between exposure to nickel concentrate or metallicnickel and the subsequent development of respiratory cancer. Requests for reprints should be addressed to: R. D. Egedahl, MD, FRCPC, 3304-Thornbrook Court, Midland, Michigan 48640, USA