Mortality of a cohort of workers in the styrene-butadiene polymer manufacturing industry (1943-1982).

Abstract

A cohort of 12,110 male workers employed 1 or more years in eight styrene-butadiene polymer (SBR) manufacturing plants in the United States and Canada has been followed for mortality over a 40-year period, 1943 to 1982. The all-cause mortality of these workers was low [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.81] compared to that of the general population. However, some specific sites of cancers had SMRs that exceeded 1.00. These sites were then examined by major work divisions. The sites of interest included leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in whites. The SMRs for cancers of the digestive tract were higher than expected, especially esophageal cancer in whites and stomach cancer in blacks. The SMR for arteriosclerotic heart disease in black workers was significantly higher than would be expected based on general population rates. Employees were assigned to a work area based on job longest held. The SMRs for specific diseases differed by work area. Production workers showed increased SMRs for hematologic neoplasms and maintenance workers, for digestive cancers. A significant excess SMR for arteriosclerotic heart disease occurred only in black maintenance workers, although excess mortality from this disease occurred in blacks regardless of where they worked the longest. A significant excess SMR for rheumatic heart disease was associated with work in the combined, all-other work areas. For many causes of death, there were significant deficits in the SMRs.

Variations in glutathione‐S‐transferase genes influence risk of chronic myeloid leukemia

“…Individuals with the GSTT1 null genotype (GSTT1 À ) have reduced ability to detoxify metabolites of 1, 3-butadiene and ethylene oxide [12,13] and people with the GSTM1 null (GSTM1 À ) genotype have reduced ability to detoxify metabolites of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)pyrene [14]. In epidemiological studies, an association has been found between exposure to 1,3-butadiene and benzo(a)pyrene and lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers other than CML [15,16].…”

Styrene: Evaluation of risks to health from environmental exposure in Canada

“…In the most sensitive study, Matanoski et al (1990) reported that in a cohort of 12,110 male workers involved in styrene-butadiene polymer production, deaths from lymphopoietic cancers occurred slightly more frequently than expected compared to the U.S. general population. These results were based on 19 observed cases, 6 of which occurred in black production workers, a subgroup in which the excess was significant.…”

Butadiene

“…Volunteers exposed to a very high level of 8000 ppm of butadiene in air complained of eye irritation, blurring of vision, coughing, nasal congestion, and drowsiness. Subsequent repeated exposures did not suggest any cumulative effect [99,111].…”