Cancer Mortality in Pulp and Paper Workers Exposed to Organochlorine Compounds
Author Information
Author(s): McLean David, Pearce Neil, Langseth Hilde, Jäppinen Paavo, Szadkowska-Stanczyk Irena, Persson Bodil, Wild Pascal, Kishi Reiko, Lynge Elsebeth, Henneberger Paul, Sala Maria, Teschke Kay, Kauppinen Timo, Colin Didier, Kogevinas Manolis, Boffetta Paolo
Primary Institution: International Agency for Research on Cancer
Hypothesis
Is there an association between cancer mortality and exposure to organochlorine compounds in pulp and paper industry workers?
Conclusion
The study found little evidence that exposure to organochlorines in the pulp and paper industry is associated with an increased risk of cancer, except for a weak association with all-cancer mortality and cumulative exposure to volatile organochlorines.
Supporting Evidence
- Workers exposed to volatile organochlorines had a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.91 for all-cause mortality.
- All-cancer mortality was also lower than expected with an SMR of 0.93 among exposed workers.
- Statistically significant excess mortality from pleural neoplasms was observed in the exposed group.
- Mortality from Hodgkin disease was elevated among workers exposed to non-volatile organochlorines.
Takeaway
This study looked at workers in the pulp and paper industry to see if the chemicals they were exposed to caused cancer. They found that, overall, these workers didn't have more cancer than expected.
Methodology
The study used a multinational cohort of workers and conducted a standardized mortality ratio analysis based on national mortality rates and Poisson regression analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding by lifestyle factors such as smoking was not fully accounted for.
Limitations
The study's exposure assessment was based on department-level estimates rather than individual exposure, which may have led to misclassification.
Participant Demographics
Workers employed for at least 1 year in the pulp and paper industry across 13 countries from 1920 to 1996.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.002
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.89–0.93
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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