Epidemiological studies of vinyl chloride health effects in the United States.
Authors
Falk-H; Waxweiler-RJ
Source
Proc R Soc Med 1976 Apr; 69(4):303-306
Abstract
Early results from three US epidemiological studies on vinyl- chloride (75014) workers are briefly reported. A death certificate search for all cases of hepatic angiosarcoma in the US for the years 1966 to 1973 shows angiosarcoma to be the largest group (35 percent of total hepatic sarcomas), and the 2:1 male to female ratio argues for occupational exposure. A supplemental intensive case finding effort shows about 240 cases occurred during 1964-1974. Examples of misdiagnosis and lack of occupational information are given. Another study shows that there are no significant differences between 130 polyvinyl-chloride (9002862) (PVC) polymerization workers and a similar group from a tire plant for any of six liver function tests. In addition, no cases of hepatic angiosarcoma were found among workers with more than 10 years work in the PVC polymerization plant. The third study of cohort mortality at four PVC polymerization plants shows a possible association between vinyl- chloride exposure and occurrence of lung cancer. However, the possibility is considered that some additional chemical exposure at these plants may be working together with vinyl-chloride to produce the effect.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Information-systems; Data-collection; Data-analysis; Liver-disorders; Plastics-industry; Chlorinated-hydrocarbons; Toxic-substances; Epidemiology; Hazards; Incidence; Morbidity; Diagnosis; Etiology
CAS No.
75-01-4; 9002-86-2
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine
