Cancer mortality among European asphalt workers: An international epidemiological study. I. Results of the analysis based on job titles

Boffetta, Paolo; Burstyn, Igor; Partanen, Timo; Kromhout, Hans; Svane, Ole; Langård, Sverre; Järvholm, Bengt; Frentzel‐Beyme, Rainer; Kauppinen, Timo; Stücker, Isabelle; Shaham, Judith; Heederik, Dick; Ahrens, Wolfgang; Bergdahl, Ingvar A.; Cénée, Sylvie; Ferro, Gilles; Heikkilä, Pirjo; Hooiveld, M.; Johansen, Christoffer; Randem, Britt Grethe; Schill, Walter

doi:10.1002/ajim.10181

Cited by 100 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…These results parallel those of the mortality analysis (8,11). However, we did observe a tendency, albeit not statistically significant, for bladder cancer incidence to increase with time since first employment.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…A small increase in the risk of lung cancer was found, and this increase is in line with previous results based on the same cohorts from Denmark, Norway, and Finland (9,(12)(13)(14)(15), while the Swedish results indicated no increased risk (8). We also found an increased incidence of lip and stomach cancer in Denmark, but not in the other countries.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…The enhanced risk of lung cancer among bitumen workers parallels the findings of the mortality analysis (8). The risk of lung cancer does not appear to increase with time since first employment.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…The numbers are shown in table 1. This study population is part of the larger cohort of asphalt and other workers assembled for an epidemiologic study of cancer mortality among European asphalt workers coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (8,11). The individual results from the following three of the four countries have been reported elsewhere: Finland (12), Norway (13,14), and Sweden (15).…”

Section: Study Population and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The problem of cancer risk due to employment in the asphalt industry, and of the carcinogenicity of bitumen fume in particular, has recently been addressed in a large mortality study of European asphalt workers, in which a small increase in the risk of lung cancer mortality was detected among asphalt workers in a comparison with the general population (8). The study also provided some evidence of an exposure-response relation between bitumen-fume exposure and the risk of lung cancer mortality, although confounding could not be excluded as an explanation for these observations (9,10).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cancer incidence of Nordic asphalt workers

Randem¹,

Burstyn²,

Langård³

et al. 2004

Scand J Work Environ Health

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Section: Study Population and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Cancer incidence of Nordic asphalt workers

Randem¹,

Burstyn²,

Langård³

et al. 2004

Scand J Work Environ Health

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Bitumen (Dampf und Aerosol bei der Heißverarbeitung) [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]

Hartwig

Arand

2019

The MAK‐Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

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The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the classification of bitumen [ 8052‐42‐4 ; 64741‐56‐6 ; 64742‐93‐4 ] in Carcinogen Category 2 considering all toxicological endpoints. New data allowed a separate assessment of the harmful properties of vapours and aerosols from high‐temperature processing of two bitumen groups. Straight‐Run and Air‐Rectified Bitumen For the derivation of a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value), a 2‐year inhalation study in rats exposed to vapours and aerosols from a mixture of straight‐run and air‐rectified bitumen is used. Due to an increased incidence of bronchioalveolar hyperplasia in the lungs and of inflammatory cells in the nasal epithelium, the study resulted in a NOAEC of 6 mg/m 3 . Taking into account the extrapolation from an animal study and the increased respiratory volume at the workplace compared with the exposure of the animals at rest, a MAK value of 1.5 mg/m 3 (sum of vapour and inhalable fraction) is derived for straight‐run and air‐rectified bitumen based on bitumen condensate standard. The MAK value is one‐third of the mean concentration at which three out of 12 inflammation markers are elevated in the sputum of exposed workers. However, the clinical relevance of this finding is unclear and the margin to the MAK value is considered sufficient. The effects on the lung is the most sensitive endpoint, so vapours and aerosols of bitumen are assigned to Peak Limitation Category II with an excursion factor of 2. All in all, the investigated straight‐run and air‐rectified bitumens did not exhibit distinct genotoxic or carcinogenic properties. However, due to the wide range in the chemical composition, harmful emissions of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances during high‐temperature processing cannot be completely excluded. Therefore, vapours and aerosols of straight‐run and air‐rectified bitumens, as commonly used in road paving, are regarded as suspicious carcinogens and classified in Carcinogen Category 3 B. As no data are available for developmental toxicity they are assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group D. Skin contact may contribute significantly to systemic toxicity and the “H” notation is confirmed. Sensitization is not expected from the available data. Oxidized Bitumen There are no inhalation studies available for evaluation of the carcinogenicity of oxidized bitumen (“Roofing Bitumen”). The new animal studies published since 2001 and most of the previous studies show the carcinogenicity of condensates of vapours and aerosols of oxidized bitumens in skin painting studies in mice, so that a significant number of tested oxidized bitumens must be considered carcinogenic. The positive animal experiments on the carcinogenicity are consistent with the results of a genotoxicity study in roofing workers with increased DNA strand break rates. Vapours and aerosols of oxidized bitumen are classified in Carcinogen Category 2. A MAK value could not be derived. Mutations in bacteria and higher levels of benzo[a]pyrene in oxidized bitumen condensates compared to those of straight‐run and air‐rectified bitumen and the systemic availability of inhaled vapours and aerosols of oxidized bitumen support suspicion of germ cell mutagenicity. Therefore, vapours and aerosols of oxidized bitumen are classified in Category 3 B for germ cell mutagens. Skin contact may contribute significantly to systemic toxicity and the “H” notation is confirmed. Sensitization is not expected from the available data.

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Health Risks of Organic Materials used in Construction

Auburtin¹

2013

Organic Materials for Sustainable Construction

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Cancer mortality among European asphalt workers: An international epidemiological study. I. Results of the analysis based on job titles

Cited by 100 publications

References 18 publications

Cancer incidence of Nordic asphalt workers

Cancer incidence of Nordic asphalt workers

Bitumen (Dampf und Aerosol bei der Heißverarbeitung) [MAK value documentation in German language, 2019]

Health Risks of Organic Materials used in Construction

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