Lung cancer mortality among workers in the European production of man-made mineral fibers--a Poisson regression analysis

Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992 Oct;18(5):279-86. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1576.

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-one lung cancer deaths among workers during 301,085 person-years in European man-made mineral fiber production between 1930-1955 and 1982 were analyzed according to Poisson regression models including age, calendar period, country, and exposure variables. Time since first employment was the variable most strongly associated with lung cancer risk in both the rock-slag wool and glass wool subcohorts. Workers in the early technological phase were at higher risk than those in other categories, particularly in rock-slag wool production. No clear trend with duration of employment was suggested. No major changes occurred in the interpretation of the results when workers with less than one year of employment or less than 20 years since first exposure were excluded. The original results, based on analyses for standardized mortality ratios, were confirmed, and workers with a short duration of employment or a short time since first employment did not need to be excluded from the analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects
  • Chemical Industry*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glass*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Poisson Distribution
  • Regression Analysis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational