Nested case-control studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (52 cases), multiple myeloma (20 cases), nonlymphocytic leukemia (39 cases), and lymphocytic leukemia (18 cases) were conducted within a cohort of employed men from two chemical manufacturing facilities and a research and development center. Exposure odds ratios were examined in relation to 111 work areas, 21 specific chemicals, and 52 chemical activity groups. Associations were observed for a maintenance and construction subgroup (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) and a chlorohydrin production unit (nonlymphocytic leukemia). The odds ratio for the association of "foremen and others" with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was 3.2 (CI95 = 1.47-7.2) based on 11 cases. A duration-response trend was observed for the chlorohydrin unit with three of four cases assigned 5+ years to that unit. An association between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and assignment to strong acid alcohol production units (OR = 8.3; CI95 = 2.3-30.7) was not supported by a duration-response trend. Two highly correlated chemical groups, antioxidants (five cases) and nitriles (four cases), were over-represented among multiple myeloma cases. A duration effect was observed. However, examination of work histories did not reveal common jobs or departments among these cases.

To assess the mortality experience of a cohort of chemical workers in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia, 29,139 males who worked at any one of three facilities over a 39-year period were followed-up for vital status. The facilities include two chemical manufacturing plants and a research and development center. From this cohort, 5,785 men were found to have died as of the study end, December 31, 1978. This was less than the 6,148.5 men expected to have died, based upon the United States white male population (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 92-96). Eighty-six specific causes of death were examined. Statistically significant increased deaths were observed for two causes; cancers of the liver (not specified as primary or secondary) (SMR = 174; CI = 102-280) and lympho- and reticulosarcoma (SMR = 140; CI = 104-187). When all biliary and liver cancer was examined by duration and time since initial employment, the SMR for those who worked at least 25 years and whose deaths occurred 30 years or more after first employment was 301 (95% confidence limit = 168-497). The identification and follow-up of this complete cohort provides the basis for future study of subcohorts with specific chemical and process exposures and case control studies of specific causes of death.

Seven deaths each due to leukaemia and pancreatic cancer were observed with 3-0 and 4-1 deaths expected. Among the subcohort of men who worked where both average and peak exposure levels were probably highest, however, one death due to pancreatic cancer (0-9 expected) and no deaths due to leukaemia were observed. Four of the seven who died from leukaemia and six of the seven who died from pancreatic cancer had been assigned to the chlorohydrin department where the potential for exposure to EO is judged to have been low. The relative risk of death due to each disease was strongly related to duration of assignments to that department. When men who worked in the chlorohydrin department were excluded, there was no evidence for an association of exposure to EO with pancreatic cancer or leukaemia. Together with the failure to show independent EO associations, the chlorohydrin department results suggest that leukaemia and pancreatic cancer may have