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Mortality of US pentachlorophenol production workers through 2005
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. aruder@cdc.gov
Chemosphere
|March 29, 2011
Summary
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) production workers showed increased overall cancer mortality, particularly lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These findings suggest potential carcinogenicity of PCP, warranting further investigation with detailed exposure assessments.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its contaminants are suspected carcinogens.
- Previous studies suggested links between PCP exposure and certain cancers.
- Workers in PCP production facilities face potential occupational health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cancer mortality among US pentachlorophenol (PCP) production workers.
- To examine associations between PCP exposure and specific cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia.
- To evaluate the overall cancer mortality in a cohort exposed to PCP and its contaminants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 2122 US pentachlorophenol (PCP) production workers was conducted.
- Mortality data from 1940 to 2005 were analyzed using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).
- Specific cancer types and causes of death were examined, including a priori hypotheses based on human and animal studies.
Main Results:
- Overall cancer mortality was significantly elevated (SMR 1.17).
- Excess deaths were observed for lung cancer (SMR 1.36) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SMR 1.77).
- Increased leukemia mortality was noted in males of other races (SMR 4.57).
Conclusions:
- The study found excess overall cancer mortality and specific cancer types, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia, in PCP production workers.
- These findings provide some support for the carcinogenicity of pentachlorophenol (PCP).
- Further research with detailed exposure assessment is necessary to confirm these associations.
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