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Mortality among a cohort of white male workers at a uranium processing plant: Fernald Feed Materials Production Center, 1951 - 1989.

Authors
Cragle DL; Watkins JP; Ingle JN; Robertson-Demers K; Tankersley WG; West CM
Source
Oak Ridge, TN: Center for Epidemiologic Research, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 1995 Jan; :1-29
Link
NIOSHTIC No.
20028415
Abstract
This study followed a cohort of 4,014 white males hired at the Feed Materials Production Center (FMPC) In Fernald, Ohio. between 1951 and 1981. Vital status through the end of 1989 ascertained 1,064 deaths. SMAs stratified by pay code showed a healthy worker effect in salaried, but not hour1y employees when compared with mortality rates of U.S. white males. Significant increases were noted for salaried workers for deaths from stomach cancer [SMR=2.61, 90% confidence interval (C.I.) (1.22, 5.14)] and for hourly workers for all cancers [SMR=1.21, (1.07, 1.37)], lung cancer [SMR=1.26, (1.02, 1.54)), and motor vehicle accidents (SMR=1.59, (1.14, 2.15)]. Dosimetry data was available for 99% of the study members. Cumulative population doses for internal and external radiation were 163.6 Gray (Gy) and 58.9 Sieverts (Sv). Trend test statistics for 16 selected cancer and three non cancer causes of death revealed a borderline significant trend for lung cancer (p= .08) with external dose. Trend tests for nonmalignant respiratory diseases were significant for chronic respiratory diseases (p= .01) with internal dose. Dose-response analyses for lung cancer with external dose revealed an excess relative risk per Sv of 8.0 [90% C.I.: (0.1. 18.5)} with a 10 year lag and 10.7 (1.8, 23.7) with a 15 year lag. Models of lung cancer with internal dose revealed no significant relationships. Dose-response analyses for nonmalignant respiratory diseases and internal dose resulted in an excess relative risk per Gy of 13.8 (2.8, 45.8) with a 10 year lag and 14.2 (2.2, 44.2) with a 15 year lag.
Keywords
Uranium-compounds; Uranium-ore; Metal-refining; Radiation-effects; Radiation-exposure; Radiation-facilities; Nuclear-fuels; Dose-response; Dosimetry; Statistical-analysis; Epidemiology
CAS No.
7440-61-1
Publication Date
19950101
Document Type
Other
Funding Type
Contract
Fiscal Year
1995
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS
Source Name
Oak Ridge, TN: Center for Epidemiologic Research, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
State
TN; OH
Performing Organization
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division