Analysis of mortality in a pooled cohort of Canadian and German uranium processing workers with no mining experience
Zablotska, LB; Fenske, N; Schnelzer, M; Zhivin, S; Laurier, D; Kreuzer, M
HERO ID
4259529
Reference Type
Journal Article
Year
2018
Language
English
PMID
| HERO ID | 4259529 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2018 |
| Title | Analysis of mortality in a pooled cohort of Canadian and German uranium processing workers with no mining experience |
| Authors | Zablotska, LB; Fenske, N; Schnelzer, M; Zhivin, S; Laurier, D; Kreuzer, M |
| Journal | International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health |
| Volume | 91 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Page Numbers | 91-103 |
| Abstract | <strong>PURPOSE: </strong>Long-term health risks of occupational exposures to uranium processing were examined to better understand potential differences with uranium underground miners and nuclear reactor workers.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>A cohort study of mortality of workers from Port Hope, Canada (1950-1999) and Wismut, Germany (1946-2008) employed in uranium milling, refining, and processing was conducted. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between cumulative exposures to radon decay products (RDP) and gamma-rays and causes of death potentially related to uranium processing.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The pooled cohort included 7431 workers (270,201 person-years of follow-up). Mean RDP exposures were lower than in miners while gamma-ray doses were higher than in reactor workers. Both exposures were highly correlated (weighted rho = 0.81). Radiation risks of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in males were increased but not statistically significant and compatible with risks estimated for miners and reactor workers, respectively. Higher RDP-associated CVD risks were observed for exposures 5-14 years prior to diagnosis compared to later exposures and among those employed <5 years. Radiation risks of solid cancers excluding lung cancer were increased, but not statistically significant, both for males and females, while all other causes of death were not associated with exposures.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>In the largest study of uranium processing workers to systematically examine radiation risks of multiple outcomes from RDP exposures and gamma-rays, estimated radiation risks were compatible with risks reported for uranium miners and nuclear reactor workers. Continued follow-up and pooling with other cohorts of uranium processing workers are necessary for future comparisons with other workers of the nuclear fuel cycle. |
| Doi | 10.1007/s00420-017-1260-9 |
| Pmid | 28940040 |
| Wosid | WOS:000419350600010 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
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