Animal studies have indicated the carcinogenic potential of ethylene dibromide (EDB). Examination of the mortality experience of employees exposed to EDB in two Previous inhalation studies4 had indicated that rats exposed for up to six months to concentrations of 50 ppm EDB showed evidence of injury to the lungs, liver, kidney, and spleen. No tumours were observed in this series of six-month studies that included rabbits, monkeys, and guinea pigs, as well as rats. Studies were also conducted at 25 ppm. The authors concluded that "rabbits and monkeys and probably rats and guinea pigs can tolerate without adverse effects daily repeated seven-hour exposures to a vapour concentration of 25 ppm of ethylene dibromide."Bondi and Alumot5 found that one of two bull calves fed EDB at 10 mg/kg/day from the third day after birth showed signs of pneumonia, lack of co-ordination, and inability to stand at 5 weeks.

This report presents methodology used in a large chemical company for linking historical industrial hygiene sampling data and employee health data through the personnel record system. The problems encountered are described to alert investigators to the need for careful planning of systems for linking the three data bases.