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A cohort mortality study among workers at a 1,3 butadiene facility
1Texaco Inc., PO Box 1404, Houston, TX 77251, USA. divinbj@texaco.com
Chemico-Biological Interactions
|June 9, 2001
Summary
This study on 1,3-butadiene workers found elevated lymphohematopoietic cancer deaths, particularly in early hires. However, survival analyses showed no increased risk with higher butadiene exposure.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Previous analyses of a 1,3-butadiene production facility cohort indicated deficits in all-cause mortality.
- Elevated lymphohematopoietic cancer (LHC) mortality, primarily lymphosarcoma, was noted in earlier studies of this cohort.
- The cohort comprises 2800 male workers employed between 1943 and 1996.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update mortality patterns through December 1999 for the 1,3-butadiene production facility worker cohort.
- To further investigate the elevated risk of lymphohematopoietic cancers (LHC) and specific subtypes like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and leukemia.
- To assess the relationship between cumulative 1,3-butadiene exposure and mortality risk using survival analysis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort mortality study design was employed, including an additional five years of follow-up data through December 1999.
- Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for all causes of death, all malignant neoplasms, and specific LHC categories.
- Survival analyses utilized cumulative butadiene exposure estimates, incorporating job exposure, calendar time, and tenure.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant deficit in all-cause mortality (SMR=89) and all malignant neoplasms (SMR=90) was observed.
- A significant elevation in LHC mortality (SMR=141) persisted, driven by leukemia (SMR=129) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR=148).
- LHC elevations were concentrated in workers hired before 1950, with highest risks in short-term workers with potential high exposure; however, survival analyses showed no increased risk with increasing exposure.
Conclusions:
- The updated mortality data confirm a persistent elevation in lymphohematopoietic cancers among 1,3-butadiene production workers, particularly those hired earlier.
- Despite the observed cancer excesses, survival analyses did not demonstrate a dose-response relationship with estimated cumulative butadiene exposure.
- Further investigation may be warranted to understand the etiology of LHC in this cohort, considering factors beyond direct butadiene exposure.