An updated cohort mortality study of workers at a northeastern United States petroleum refinery

Abstract

An update of a cohort study of 4855 employees at a Paulsboro, New Jersey refinery was conducted to further examine mortality patterns. The earlier study investigated refinery workers employed for a minimum of 1 year between 1 January 1946 and 1 January 1979. The vital status of these workers was ascertained through 1979. The update extended enrollment in the study and vital status follow-up for an additional 8 years (1980-1987). As in the previous study, mortality from all causes [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 87; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 83-91] was significantly lower than expected compared with the general population. Total cancer mortality was also lower than expected (SMR = 96; 95% CI: 86-106). A borderline significant mortality increase in prostatic cancer was found (SMR = 144; 95% CI: 106-190). This increase was similar to the nonsignificant increase reported in the original study (SMR = 135; 95% CI: 90-196). The excess was of comparable magnitude among white males and nonwhite males, although it was not significant for the latter. Detailed analysis indicated that the prostatic cancer was not likely to be related to employment at the refinery. Mortality from lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers was similar to the expected mortality. Mortality from overall leukemia was as expected and detailed analyses by specific cell type showed no increase. An increase in mortality occurred from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among male workers (SMR = 132; 95% CI: 74-217). The increase was not statistically significant and unlikely to be associated with refinery employment. Mortality from multiple myeloma among male employees was lower than expected (SMR = 74; 95% CI: 20-190). Mortality from asbestos-related diseases (pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma) was also lower than expected among male workers. No cause-specific mortality was found to be associated with duration of employment at the refinery, including several causes which have been reported to be elevated in previous studies. The findings of this updated study indicate, as in the previous report, the generally favorable mortality experience of Paulsboro refinery workers.

Recent advances in occupational and environmental health hazards of workers exposed to gasoline compounds

“…A collaborative animal experimental study also demonstrated a wide range of lesions in the nephrons of animals exposed to hydrocarbons compared to the controls. Most of these lesions were similar to those observed in humans and included immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephritis [91], mesengial nephropathy [118], crescentic nephropathy [119], focal gasoline constituents is associated with increased risk of renal function impairment, due to their potential to either initiate kidney injury or worsen extant impaired renal function, or both [95,96]. In many cases, the glomerular cells and tubular cells of the kidney are the most vulnerable site for injury [97].…”

An updated mortality study of workers at a petroleum refinery in Beaumont, Texas

“…A recently completed study of workers at the Mobil Torrance refinery [Milcarek et al, 1994] reported an SMR of 120 (4 observed vs 3.3 expected, 95%CI ϭ 33-307). A study at the Mobil Paulsboro refinery [Collingwood et al, 1996] reported no significant increase of NHL (15 observed vs. 11.4 expected,…”

“…These results are consistent with those from other refinery studies. In a recent review and meta-analysis of refinery studies, Raabe and Wong [1996] reported no increase in CML, ALL or CLL among refinery workers.…”

Potential Health Effects of Gasoline and Its Constituents: A Review of Current Literature (1990-1997) on Toxicological Data

“…Infante (10) referred to three studies conducted in gasoline-exposed workers: one showed strong associations between gasoline exposure, leukemia, and multiple myeloma; the second suggested a slight association with leukemia, but did not analyze data for multiple myeloma; and the third was inconclusive due to problems linked with study design. In 1996 Collingwood et al (16) reported that in a cohort study of (3). After gasoline application to skin, a decrease in glutathione concentration, glutathione S-transferase activity, and lipid peroxidation was observed in liver and brain (18).…”