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Lung cancer among industrial sand workers exposed to crystalline silica.

Steenland K; Sanderson W

Am J Epidemiol 2001 Apr; 153(7):695-703

https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/153.7.695

20021881

In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that crystalline silica was a human carcinogen but noted inconsistencies in the epidemiology. There are few exposure-response analyses. The authors examined lung cancer mortality among 4,626 industrial sand workers, estimating exposure via a job-exposure matrix based on 4,269 industrial hygiene samples collected in 1974-1995. The average length of employment was 9 years, and estimated average exposure was 0.05 mg/m(3) (the National institute of Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limit), Results confirmed excess mortality from silicosis/pneumoconioses (standardized mortality ratio = 18.2, 95% confidence interval: 10.6, 29.1; 17 deaths). The lung cancer standardized mortality ratio was 1.60 (95% confidence interval: 1.31, 1.93; 109 deaths). Limited data suggested that smoking might account for 10-20% of the lung cancer excess. Exposure-response analyses by quartile of cumulative exposure (15-year lag) yielded standardized rate ratios of 1.00, 0,78, 1,51, and 1,57 Ip for trend = 0.07). Nested case-control analyses after exclusion of short-term workers, who had high overall morality, yielded odds ratios by quartile of cumulative exposure (15-year lag) of 1.00, 1.35, 1.63, and 2.00 (p for trend = 0.08) and odds ratios by quartile of average exposure of 1.00, 0.92, 1,44, and 2.26 (p = 0.005). These data lend support to the labeling by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of silica as a human carcinogen. There are approximately 2 million US workers exposed to silica; 100,000 are exposed to more than 0.1 mg/m(3).

Silica-dusts; Silicosis; Quartz-dust; Lung-cancer; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Sand-and-gravel-mines; Industrial-factory-workers; Pneumoconiosis; Author Keywords: lung neoplasms; silicon dioxide; silicosis

K. Steenland, NIOSH, R13,4676 Columbia Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45226 USA

AJEPAS

20010401

Journal Article

kns1@cdc.gov

2001

7

0002-9262

DSHEFS

American Journal of Epidemiology

OH