Mortality among workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant in Indiana: An update

Ruder, AM; Hein, MJ; Nilsen, N; Waters, MA; Laber, P; Davis-King, K; Prince, MM; Whelan, E

HERO ID

116893

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2006

Language

English

PMID

16393652

HERO ID 116893
In Press No
Year 2006
Title Mortality among workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant in Indiana: An update
Authors Ruder, AM; Hein, MJ; Nilsen, N; Waters, MA; Laber, P; Davis-King, K; Prince, MM; Whelan, E
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 114
Issue 1
Page Numbers 18-23
Abstract An Indiana capacitor-manufacturing cohort (n=3,569) was exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from 1957 to 1977. The original study of mortality through 1984 found excess melanoma and brain cancer; other studies of PCB-exposed individuals have found excess non-Hodgkin lymphoma and rectal, liver, biliary tract, and gallbladder cancer. Mortality was updated through 1998. Analyses have included standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using rates for Indiana and the United States, standardized rate ratios (SRRs), and Poisson regression rate ratios (RRs). Estimated cumulative exposure calculations used a new job-exposure matrix. Mortality overall was reduced (547 deaths; SMR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality was elevated (9 deaths; SMR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.6-2.3). Melanoma remained in excess (9 deaths; SMR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6), especially in the lowest tertile of estimated cumulative exposure (5 deaths; SMR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.2-8.7). Seven of the 12 brain cancer deaths (SMR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3) occurred after the original study. Brain cancer mortality increased with exposure (in the highest tertile, 5 deaths; SMR, 2.71; 95% CI, 0.9-6.3); the SRR dose-response trend was significant (p=0.016). Among those working >or= 90 days, both melanoma (8 deaths; SMR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.1-5.2) and brain cancer (11 deaths; SMR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8) were elevated, especially for women: melanoma, 3 deaths (SMR, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.2-17.5); brain cancer, 3 deaths (SMR, 2.87; 95% CI, 0.6-8.4). These findings of excess melanoma and brain cancer mortality confirm results of the original study. Melanoma mortality was not associated with estimated cumulative exposure. Brain cancer mortality did not demonstrate a clear dose-response relationship with estimated cumulative exposure.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.8253
Pmid 16393652
Wosid WOS:000234396800032
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Adult; Cause of Death; Cohort Studies; Electronics; Female; Humans; Indiana; Male; Manufactured Materials; Occupational Diseases/chemically induced/*mortality; *Occupational Exposure; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/*toxicity; 0 (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
Is Qa No