Mortality Experience of a Young Petrochemical Industry Cohort

Abstract

This retrospective study examines the mortality patterns of a relatively young cohort of 81,746 former and current petrochemical company employees. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for 1979 through 1992 are generally from about unity to well below unity for major causes and numerous specific causes of death studied by gender/race/job subgroups. Findings of note include a SMR (based on incidence rates) of 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 3.33) for mesothelioma, and a SMR of 1.81 (95% CI, 0.90 to 3.24) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, both among males hired before 1960. All male semiskilled operatives have a 1.6-fold increase (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.29) in motor vehicle accident deaths, with declining rates since the mid-1980s. The overall SMR for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is at unity (69 deaths), with excesses in technician and office worker subgroups. Four decedents with lymphoma (code 202.8 in 9th revision ICD) had AIDS as a secondary cause of death, suggesting the need to examine secondary causes when studying lymphopoietic conditions. This routine surveillance activity provides leads regarding the presence or absence of excess mortality risk.

A 56-Year Mortality Follow-Up of Texas Petroleum Refinery and Chemical Employees, 1948–2003

“…40 Similar findings have also been reported in many other studies on petroleum workers. 9,17,37 This observation might suggest that mesothelioma can be induced at a lower cumulative exposure than is needed for induction of lung cancer, although other factors may also play a role. 40 In summary, after more than half a century of follow-up, employees at this facility continue to show a more favorable mortality than does the general local population.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In a previous report, the mortality of employees from the DPMC was followed up through 1989. 7 Results from these analyses were generally favorable in that the all-cause mortality, overall cancer mortality, and deaths from most specific causes were lower than those of the comparable local population in Harris County, Texas, where the facility is located.…”

Trends in cigarette smoking among refinery and petrochemical plant employees with a discussion of the potential impact on lung cancer

“…However, smoking information for a working population has rarely been reported (Ven Peenen et al 1984). In the overwhelming majority of these studies, lung cancer mortality has been well below (about 20% lower) either the general US or the local population (Wong and Raabe 2000;Delzell et al 1988;Rushton 1993;Harrington 1987;Huebner et al 1997;Honda et al 1995;Satin et al 1996;Divine et al 1999;Tsai et al 1993Tsai et al , 1996Tsai et al , 1997. In response to this ®nding, a number of reports have recently hypothesized that the lower lung cancer mortality among re®nery and petrochemical workers is due to lower average cigarette consumption (Finkelstein 1996(Finkelstein , 1999.…”

A Nested Case-Control Study of Brain Tumors Among Employees at a Petroleum Exploration and Extraction Research Facility

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Although elevations of brain tumor risk have been reported in some of these studies, no specific agent has been identified. 17,18 A cluster of brain tumors, with dates of diagnosis in the 1980s and 1990s, was identified among workers at a petroleum exploration and extraction research facility in Southern California.…”