Lymphohematopoietic Cancer Mortality and Morbidity of Workers in a Refinery/Petrochemical Complex in Korea

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the relationship between exposure of Korean workers to petrochemicals in the refinery/petrochemical industry and lymphohematopoietic cancers.MethodsThe cohort consisted of 8,866 male workers who had worked from the 1960s to 2007 at one refinery and six petrochemical companies located in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea that produce benzene or use benzene as a raw material. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for 1992-2007 and 1997-2005 based on the death rate and cancer incidence rate of the Korean male population according to job title (production, maintenance, laboratory, and office workers).ResultsThe overall mortality and most cause-specific mortalities were lower among these workers than those of the general Korean population. Increased SMRs were observed for leukemia (4/1.45; SMR 2.77, 95% CI: 0.75-7.09) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/2.51; SMR 2, 95% CI: 0.65-4.66) in production workers, and increased SIRs were also observed in leukemia (3/1.34; SIR 2.24, 95% CI: 0.46-6.54) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/3.39; SIR 1.47, 95% CI: 0.48-3.44) in production workers, but the results were not statistically significant.ConclusionThe results showed a potential relationship between leukemia and lymphohematopoietic cancers and exposure to benzene in refinery/petrochemical complex workers. This study yielded limited results due to a short observational period; therefore, a follow-up study must be performed to elucidate the relationship between petrochemical exposure and cancer rates.

Cancer incidence and mortality among temporary maintenance workers in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea

“…This is the first study to present this result with this understudied population. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Increased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers has been reported for other occupational groups including: construction workers, machine workers, painters, plumbers, carpet installers, vehicle repair workers, textile workers, leather industry workers, pulp industry workers, wood workers, sugarcane farmers, and butchers. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Among the aforementioned study populations, a relatively strong association has been found among oral and pharyngeal cancers and construction workers and machine operators.…”

“…However, in a previous cohort study examining the cancer risks of petrochemical plant employees at the same refinery/petrochemical complex, no significantly increased risk for lip, oral cavity, and pharynx cancer risk was observed compared to the general population. 4 This leads us to believe that there is the possibility of exposure to a carcinogen beyond salted fish. In particular, metal work, such as welding or working with cutting oil, has been reported to increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.…”

“…42 Contrary to previous studies that have examined the risk of cancer among maintenance employees permanently hired by refineries or petrochemical companies, our study was the first to focus on the cancer risks of temporary maintenance workers. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Maintenance workers are hired temporarily according to projects. This type of employment offered petrochemical companies considerable flexibility in meeting their workforce needs.…”

“…Previous epidemiological studies investigating the association between petrochemical plant maintenance employees and cancer risks have been inconclusive, except in the case of asbestos-related mesothelioma. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Furthermore, prior studies have investigated maintenance employees of petrochemical plants engaged in more supervisory rather than in maintenance roles.…”

The peculiarities of the toxic eff ect of petroleum hydrocarbons on the human organism

“…Литературные данные говорят и о нарушении терморегуляции под влиянием углеводородов. Отмечается паде-ние температуры тела при действии бензина [22].…”