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Mortality and incidence of cancer at four factories making phenoxy herbicides
D Coggon1, B Pannett, P Winter
1MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital.
Abstract:
To assess the possible carcinogenicity of phenoxy herbicides and related chlorophenols and dioxins, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating an international collaborative study of workers exposed to these compounds in their production or use. Four British cohorts of chemical manufacturers which have been recruited to the survey are described. They comprise a total of 2239 men employed during 1963-85. These subjects were traced to 31 December 1987 through the National Health Service Central Register and the National Insurance Index, and their mortality compared with that in the national population. Two deaths were from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with 0.87 expected. Both deaths occurred more than 10 years after first exposure to phenoxy compounds. One further non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was registered in a living subject with probable exposure to phenoxy compounds. No cases of soft tissue sarcoma or Hodgkin's disease were recorded. A nonsignificant excess of lung cancer (19 deaths observed, 14.2 expected) is probably attributable to chance or a confounding effect of smoking. In one cohort only there was increased mortality from circulatory disease (34 deaths observed, 20.4 expected). A nested case-control study did not point to any occupational cause for this excess, but further evaluation will be needed during continued follow up.
Insights
This study investigated phenoxy herbicides
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Phenoxy herbicides, chlorophenols, and dioxins are industrial compounds with potential health risks.
- Assessing the carcinogenicity of these agents is crucial for worker safety and public health.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) leads global research efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential carcinogenicity of phenoxy herbicides and related compounds.
- To analyze mortality data in chemical manufacturing workers exposed to these substances.
- To identify any associations between occupational exposure and specific cancer types.
Main Methods:
- An international collaborative study involving four British cohorts of chemical manufacturers.
- Inclusion of 2239 male workers employed between 1963 and 1985.
- Mortality follow-up until December 1987 using national health and insurance records.
- Comparison of observed mortality with national population rates.
- Nested case-control study to explore occupational causes for observed excesses.
Main Results:
- Two deaths from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were observed, occurring more than 10 years post-exposure (0.87 expected).
- One additional non-Hodgkin's lymphoma case identified in a potentially exposed living subject.
- No cases of soft tissue sarcoma or Hodgkin's disease were recorded.
- A non-significant excess of lung cancer (19 observed, 14.2 expected) possibly due to confounding factors like smoking.
- Increased circulatory disease mortality in one cohort (34 observed, 20.4 expected) without clear occupational links.
Conclusions:
- The study found a potential association between phenoxy herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, warranting further investigation.
- No clear evidence of carcinogenicity for soft tissue sarcoma or Hodgkin's disease.
- Lung cancer excess likely due to chance or smoking, but requires continued monitoring.
- Circulatory disease excess needs further evaluation to rule out occupational causes.