Cohort mortality study among French asphalt workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cancer Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• A cohort of 15,011 French men, including 2,506 asphalt workers, was followed for 17 years (1979-1996).
• A reference group of 6,675 men employed only in building or ground construction was included for comparison.
• This study was conducted in conjunction with a European cohort study coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mortality rates among French asphalt workers.
• To compare the mortality risks of asphalt workers with a non-exposed reference group.
• To identify potential links between asphalt work and specific cancer types.

Main Methods:

• Mortality ratios were standardized for age and period using French national rates.
• Poisson regression models were used to compare mortality between exposed and reference groups, adjusting for confounders.
• Duration of employment and length of follow-up were considered in the analysis.

Main Results:

• Lung cancer mortality was similar to expected rates but 40% higher than in the reference group.
• An excess of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly esophageal and stomach cancers, was observed.
• Stomach cancer risk was notably higher when compared to the internal reference group.

Conclusions:

• Results suggest a potential increase in lung and stomach cancer rates among road-paving workers.
• Statistical significance was not reached, indicating a need for further investigation.
• Potential confounding factors such as coal tar exposure and smoking require further control in future studies.