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Mortality among rubber chemical manufacturing workers
M M Prince1, E M Ward, A M Ruder
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation, and Field Studies, Industrywide Studies Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. mmp3@cdc.gov
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|May 8, 2000
Summary
Workers in a rubber chemicals department showed increased ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality, especially those under 50. Rotating shifts and chemical exposures may be occupational risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- A previous study indicated elevated chest pain and angina in a rubber chemicals department.
- This study investigates ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in this specific worker cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mortality experience of workers in a rubber chemicals manufacturing department.
- To identify potential occupational risk factors associated with elevated IHD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort mortality study of workers employed from 1946-1988.
- Comparison of mortality rates to U.S. and local Niagara county populations using NIOSH life table analysis.
- Application of Poisson regression to analyze IHD patterns within the cohort.
Main Results:
- The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for IHD was 1.51 compared to U.S. rates and 1.19 to local rates.
- Elevated IHD mortality was most significant in younger workers (<50 years, SMR = 2.4).
- A second chemical production department showed a non-significant elevated IHD SMR of 1.5.
Conclusions:
- Ischemic heart disease mortality is elevated in the rubber chemicals department, particularly for workers under 50.
- Potential occupational risks include rotating shift work and specific chemical exposures.
- Further investigation into these factors is warranted to mitigate IHD risk.