Mortality among male farmers licensed to use pesticides

The mortality experience of 4,580 male farmers licensed to buy and use pesticides in Northern Italy was examined from 1974 to 1987. The historical cohort was determined from the registers of the agricultural inspectorate offices. The vital status at the end of the study period was ascertained by municipality records and only 4 subjects were lost to follow-up. Death certificates were obtained for 100% of the 565 identified deaths. External comparison on to the Italian male population was supplemented by regional comparison. Mortality deficits were observed for all causes, all neoplasms and most specific malignancies. A non-significant mortality excess due to brain cancer, compared both to national and regional populations, was found (11 cases, Standardized Mortality Ratio 169 and 139, respectively). The excess of brain cancer became statistically significant in the age group 65-75 years. Caution must be used in the interpretation of our findings. Nevertheless, it seems reasonable to hypothesize an association of the observed excess of brain cancer with the occupational and/or environmental exposure of the cohort.