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Lung cancer risk among construction workers in California, 1988-2007.

Authors
Calvert GM; Luckhaupt S; Lee S-J; Cress R; Schumacher P; Shen R; Tak S; Deapen D
Source
Am J Ind Med 2012 May; 55(5):412-422
NIOSHTIC No.
20040232
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although lung cancer risks can vary by race/ethnicity and by construction occupation, these risks have not been examined extensively. METHODS: This study analyzed 110,937 lung cancer cases identified from the California Cancer Registry between 1988 and 2007. Mean age at diagnosis, proportion diagnosed at an advanced stage, and proportion with 3-year survival were calculated for lung cancer cases employed in the construction industry. Case-control methodology was also used to assess the risk of lung cancer. Morbidity odds ratios (MORs) were estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Construction workers were found to have a significantly elevated risk for all lung cancer combined (MOR = 1.57) and for each lung cancer histologic subtype examined. All construction occupations, except managers/engineers and supervisors, had a significantly elevated risk for all lung cancer combined. Roofers and welders had the highest risks for total lung cancer and for each of the histologic subtypes. Construction workers in each of the four race/ethnicity groups also had significantly increased lung cancer risks. Compared to non-construction workers, construction workers were diagnosed at an earlier age, at a more advanced stage, and had significantly lower 3-year survival, though differences were modest. CONCLUSION: These findings justify additional reductions in carcinogenic exposures in construction, and increased support for smoking cessation programs at construction sites.
Keywords
Construction; Construction-workers; Cancer; Cancer-rates; Lung-cancer; Lung-disease; Risk-analysis; Case-studies; Morbidity-rates; Statistical-analysis; Racial-factors; Carcinogens; Smoking; Surveillance-programs; Roofers; Welders; Author Keywords: cancer; lung; surveillance; construction; occupational; roofer; welder; laborer; race
Contact
Geoffrey M. Calvert, MD, NIOSH, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R-17, Cincinnati, OH 45226
CODEN
AJIMD8
Publication Date
20120511
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
jac6@cdc.gov
Fiscal Year
2012
Identifying No.
B02012012
Issue of Publication
5
ISSN
0271-3586
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS
Priority Area
Construction
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
State
OH; CA
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division